Once again the Westclox Building in Peru was the scene of a significant fire. Around 8:20 p.m. Friday reports of smoke and flames on the east end of the building came in. By 9:30 p.m., the fire-fighting effort had been escalated to a fourth alarm. Departments from Peru, LaSalle, Spring Valley, Oglesby and many others assisted. Just before 11 p.m. Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski told WLPO news that the “fire (is) completely out.”
This blaze does not appear to be as catastrophic as the 2012 New Year’s fire which led to area evacuations and days of flare ups and smoldering remains.
The fire appears to have been contained to the south east end of Westclox, near the business S & S Tool and Die. Businesses on the west end of the building, including Fire on Fifth and Bunkers, have posted they are closed…
