Police arrest teens for Westclox fire

Aggravated arson is apparently the cause of the Westclox fire in Peru.  Police arrested a 17-year old La Salle man and a 15-year old Peru boy during the overnight hours as firefighters battled the blaze in the historic building.  The 17-year old was taken to the La Salle County Jail while the 15-year old is in a detention home.  More information on the blaze has been released.  The back side of the complex received the fire damage, while the front side, which houses several retail and other businesses, escaped with only smoke damage.  Firefighters made the decision to let the fire burn itself out, as there were areas they could not reach.  Local residents who had been evacuated earlier were being allowed to return home.  Some of the surrounding streets that had been closed have been reopened and it’s hoped that all nearby streets will be open by the end of the day.