Firefighters to attack Westclox arson fire again today

Monday, January 02, 2012 By NT Staff ntlocal@newstrib.

Firefighters to attack Westclox arson fire again today Firefighters battled a fire in the Westclox factory building complex that resulted in evacuation of nearby homes including a block bounded by Walnut, Fifth, Pulaski and Illinois Streets south of Fifth Street (U.S. 6) on New Year's morning in Peru. Fire trucks from several counties were called to the scene - including water tanker trucks.

NT photos/Amanda Whitlock Two teenage boys were arrested and jailed on suspicion of arson just 2½ hours after fire was discovered at midnight Saturday roaring through the historic Westclox factory in Peru. Steven Gallacher, 17, 338 Creve Coeur St., La Salle and a 15-year-old boy from Peru each face a charge of aggravated arson, Peru police chief Doug Bernabei said. The arson charge was elevated to “aggravated” because a firefighter was injured in the response, Bernabei said. The charge is a Class 1 felony, with a base sentencing range of 4 to 15 years in prison.

Today, the fire remained hottest on the west end of the middle section of Westclox, at the southern end of Walnut Street where E&R International, a recycling business, is located. The roof over this section was mostly collapsed as of this morning, Peru fire chief Jeff King said.

“There’s still a lot of fire,” King said at a press conference today. “This thing could burn for a week.”

This morning, after 36 hours of watching and suppressing fire, masses of firefighters were planning another major attack using aerial trucks and a hand line with firefighters entering Westclox’s middle building from the east, King said.

“That will probably take most of the day and into the night,” King said. King stressed safety as firefighters prepared for the second day attack. "There's nothing here right now that's worth your life or anybody getting hurt," he said.

Rest of the article can be found on the N.T.in an article by the same title.