A system for quickly and reliably detecting a failed structure includes a signal source, a cable attached to the structure, an anti-slip cable anchor, a signal detector, and user indicator. When the structure fails, the cable attached to the structure is also broken. The user indicator is operable to display the status of the cable. The cable breaks due to exceeding the elastic modulus of the cable, caused by elongation of the distance between two fixed points caused by the failing structure. Electric power must be provided to each signal source, signal detector and user indicator.