BELLE — A large tree unexpectedly split and crashed across Third Street in downtown Belle July 10, blocking the roadway and prompting a cleanup effort by city employees and volunteers from a local Mid-State Pipeline work crew.

Unlike tree incidents that usually occur during severe weather, the collapse happened without excessive winds or heavy rainfall in the area.

The tree split near its base, sending a large limb and numerous branches across the street. It fell in front of The Vault, the building that formerly housed The Belle Banner newspaper office, covering much of the roadway with branches and debris.

Gabriella (Gabbie) Prigge witnessed the collapse while making a quick stop before heading to work. She said she initially heard a loud cracking sound and assumed it was construction taking place despite the rainy weather.

“I heard the first crack and thought somebody was doing construction work in the rain,” Prigge said. “I think I maybe got to the end of the store and then heard a boom.”

Prigge said the tree crashed down near where the awning would be in front of her business, Ruth & Company, while she was at the opposite end of the building. After realizing what had happened, she called Belle City Hall to report the incident.

“I collected my bearings and called City Hall and let Cindy (Barbarick) know,” Prigge said. “She said Steve Vogt saw it and that it almost hit someone. I told her, ‘Yeah, that was me.’”

Belle Public Works Director Darin Guinn and Public Works Supervisor Jim Goben were on scene working during the cleanup. A crew from Mid-State Pipeline also assisted, using heavy equipment and chainsaws to remove the fallen trunk and branches before reopening the street to traffic.

The cause of the tree limb’s collapse was not immediately known. Although rain had been falling earlier in the area, there were no reports of excessive winds at the time the tree came down.

No injuries or damage to nearby buildings or vehicles were observed or reported.