Late last night, I came across a breaking story about a massive fire that erupted just after midnight at the former Westclox watch and clock factory complex in Peru, Illinois—located roughly 100 miles southwest of Chicago. As per the latest updates, the fire is still raging out of control this morning, and the situation seems to be escalating quickly.
The sprawling Westclox complex spans an impressive 2 blocks by 4 blocks in downtown Peru, within north-central Illinois. Emergency services have labeled this incident as a "very large fire," and multiple fire departments from neighboring regions have been called in to assist. By sunrise, some residents in the surrounding areas had been evacuated as a safety measure due to the intensity of the blaze and the potential risk of explosion.
According to The Washington Post, local authorities have identified two teenagers—aged 15 and 17—as the alleged perpetrators. Police Chief Doug Bernabei stated during a press briefing that these individuals are suspected of setting the fire intentionally. The younger teen is being tried as a juvenile, while the older one has been charged as an adult. His bail has been set at $250,000. It appears that the teens entered the building, used gasoline they found inside, doused a boat stored there, and ignited it before leaving the premises.
LaSalle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne mentioned that an anonymous tip led law enforcement directly to the suspects. The fire caused several propane tanks to explode, forcing mandatory evacuations in nearby residential areas. However, by mid-morning, most residents were allowed back into their homes. Unfortunately, a few households remain under evacuation orders due to the direction of the smoke.
Attached here is a photo captured by News Tribune's Amanda Whitlock, showing the sheer scale of destruction. The blaze has now reached a 5-alarm status, marking it as one of the largest fires in recent memory for the area. Video footage from Dekalb Feed on Justin.tv provides a real-time look at the unfolding chaos. The initial alarm was triggered mere seconds after midnight, suggesting careful planning on the part of the arsonists.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story continues to unfold.
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