One person has died and nearly 30 were injured during a roof collapse at a Belvidere venue during a metal concert Friday night, officials said.

Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody said during a late Friday news conference that officers responded to the Apollo theatre, 104 N. State St., where the collapse occurred, leaving one person dead and at least 28 others injured.

The city is approximately 70 miles northwest of Chicago.

“Once we arrived, we conducted a search and rescue of patrons inside Apollo ... sole responsibility was to get individuals outside the building,” Woody said.

Once emergency crews were outside, they tried to secure the scene, and escorted people away from the building as best they could, Woody said during the news conference.

“Chaos. Absolute chaos,” Woody said. “When first responders got there, they tried to control the chaos as best as possible. We tried to go in and save as many people as we possibly can and bring them to safety as best as we can.”

A staffer working at Rockford’s Saint Anthony Medical Center said they treated 12 patients, none of whom had died. The staffer said the victims were split among three hospitals.

Belvidere Mayor Clint Morris’ wife told the Tribune late Friday that he remained at the scene of the Apollo Theatre, Morris dropped everything to hustle over there when it happened.

“He’s worried about the residents,” said the mayor’s wife, who asked to not be named.

The establishment was formerly a movie theater, she said.

...continued

©2023 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.