Late last night, Firegeezer.com picked up a breaking story about a massive fire that erupted just after midnight at the now-defunct Wextclox watch and clock factory complex in Peru, Illinois, located roughly 100 miles southwest of Chicago. According to initial reports, the sprawling complex, consisting of 44 structures spread across a two-block by four-block area in downtown Peru, has been engulfed in flames since the early hours of the morning.
As dawn broke, the fire was still raging out of control, forcing the evacuation of several nearby homes as a safety measure. Local authorities have labeled this incident a "very large fire," and multiple fire departments from surrounding regions have been mobilized to assist in combating the blaze.
The Washington Post's National section features an article accompanied by photos that shed further light on the situation. According to the report, Police Chief Doug Bernabei stated during a press conference on Sunday that two teenagers—aged 15 from Peru and 17 from La Salle—are facing charges of aggravated arson. The older youth, who is being tried as an adult, appeared in court on Sunday, where a judge set his bail at $250,000, as reported by the News Tribune.
LaSalle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne detailed that the pair entered the abandoned factory, doused a boat inside with gasoline, set it ablaze, and fled the scene. It was an anonymous tip that led law enforcement to these suspects. The fire, which triggered explosions from nearby propane tanks, necessitated the mandatory evacuation of homes close to the factory complex. However, by mid-morning, most residents had been permitted to return home, though some remained displaced due to smoke drifting toward their properties.
Attached below is a photo capturing the intensity of the fire, courtesy of News Tribune's Amanda Whitlock via the Associated Press.
[Image description: A massive fire consuming the Westclox factory in Peru, Illinois.]
Additionally, recordings of the five-alarm fire at the iconic Westclox factory are available for viewing. Authorities have confirmed that the fire was deliberately set by the two teenage boys, who cleverly initiated the blaze mere seconds after midnight. A firefighter from LaSalle suffered injuries and underwent surgery earlier today.
For those interested, you can watch the live footage of the fire here:
[Embedded video player displaying Part 1 of the fire footage.]
Part 2 of the footage highlights the striking of the fifth alarm, marking a critical juncture in the firefighting efforts.
[Embedded video player displaying Part 2 of the fire footage.]
This event underscores the dangers posed by such deliberate acts and the collaborative response required to manage such large-scale emergencies.
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