Firegeezer.com has been closely following a major fire that broke out around midnight at the former Wextclox watch and clock factory complex in Peru, Illinois — located 100 miles southwest of Chicago. According to their report, the massive industrial site, consisting of 44 buildings spread over a two-block by four-block area in downtown Peru, is now engulfed in flames.
The fire was still raging uncontrollably at daybreak, forcing nearby residents to evacuate as a precaution. Firefighters from multiple departments have arrived on the scene, with officials describing the blaze as "a very large fire." The situation remains serious, with emergency crews working tirelessly to bring the flames under control.
The Washington Post National also covered the incident, highlighting that two teenage boys — a 15-year-old from Peru and a 17-year-old from La Salle — have been charged with aggravated arson. The older boy, who is being treated as an adult, appeared in court Sunday, and a judge set his bail at $250,000.
According to LaSalle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne, the teens entered the building, poured gas from a container they found inside onto a boat, and set it on fire before fleeing the scene. A tip from an anonymous caller led police to the suspects. The fire caused propane tanks to explode, leading to a mandatory evacuation of nearby homes. However, by 11 a.m., most residents were allowed to return, although some remained displaced due to heavy smoke blowing directly into their neighborhoods.
There are several photos available in the article, showing the scale of the destruction. Additionally, there are video recordings of the 5-alarm fire at the historic Westclox factory. The fire was intentionally set by the two teens, who timed it precisely so that it started just eight seconds after midnight. One firefighter from LaSalle was injured during the operation and underwent surgery this morning.
You can watch live footage of the fire from DeKalb Feed on Justin.tv. Part 1 begins with the 5th alarm being called, and Part 2 continues with more updates on the ongoing emergency. These videos provide a real-time look at the chaos and the efforts of first responders.
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