WILLOW SPRINGS ILLINOIS - Fire Destroys Historic Willowbrook Ballroom - The Willowbrook Ballroom is often cited as the last place Resurrection Mary danced before her death

WILLOW SPRINGS, IL — A fire tore through Willowbrook Ballroom in Willow Springs Friday afternoon, reducing the beloved venue to ashes.

Photos from crews on the scene showed flames tearing through the building at 8900 Archer, with black smoke visible for miles.

The fire started on the roof around 2 p.m., WGN reports. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, and faced issues due to the building's bowstring truss roof—which prevented them from going inside—and poor water supply.

The ballroom opened in 1921.