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(CNN) One person was killed and 28 injured when the roof completely collapsed Friday night at the Apollo Theater in Belvidere, Illinois, following devastating storms and tornadoes that ravaged the South and Midwest.
About 260 people, including guests, performers and staff, were inside the venue for the heavy metal rock concert at the time of the collapse, according to the event coordinator.
Belvidere is in northern Illinois, approximately 14 miles from the city of Rockford. Despite the bad weather in the area, there were no reports of an “actual tornado” hitting the area, Belvidere Fire Chief Sean Shadl said.
In southern Illinois, three more people died in Crawford County after a residential structure collapsed during severe weather Friday, according to Kevin Sur, spokesperson for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The confirmed deaths bring the overall death toll from Friday’s severe weather outbreak to 21 in six states.
At the Apollo Theater, 28 people were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, Schadle said. Five people were seriously injured. Eighteen suffered moderate injuries. and five were slightly injured. “Obviously there were probably other patients who were transported in private vehicles,” he added.
During the initial response, crew members who entered the building helped rescue people from under the rubble. The crew established a triage center and relocation point for victims.
“It was a huge response from all public security agencies, police, fire departments and bystanders rescuing the injured first,” Schadle said.
The chief said the initial search of the theater was complete. “At present, the MABAS 8 TRT rescue team is still operating behind us. They are conducting a secondary search. They are also investigating the stabilization of the building.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was “closely monitoring” the situation. “We are in contact with authorities to get updates and direct available resources,” he said. Tweet Friday night. “Follow all local government instructions as soon as we have more information.”
Morbid Angel, one of the metal bands scheduled to perform at the event, released a statement on Facebook canceling the concert and urging fans to “seek shelter and stay safe.”
“We are currently sheltering indoors, extending our support and hope that everyone at tonight’s show is safe. For now, everyone at tonight’s venue is safe and home. Our focus is on making it possible,” the band said.
A flyer for the event shows that other bands scheduled to play Friday night are Revocation, Skeletal Remains and Crypta.
An investigation into the collapse is ongoing. Schadle said there were no first responders injured and all have been accounted for so far.
“The Illinois Department of Emergency Management is working closely with local and county public safety partners and emergency managers to develop extensive emergency services throughout the state, including the Apollo Theater here in Belvidere in Boone County and Robinson in Crawford County. We appreciate the damage,” said the station’s director, Alicia Tate-Nador, in a statement. “Many counties in Illinois continue to assess other damages.”
CNN’s Sarah, Andy Rhodes, and Allah Elasar
Contributed to this report.
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