Blaze destroys Utica home

http://ping.fm/p/tK9me – Utica, La Salle, and Oglesby fire responded.

Two brick chimneys tower above the smoldering remains of home in Utica.  Fire departments from Utica, Naplate, La Salle and Oglesby went out to the house just after 2pm Tuesday.  They arrived to find smoke and flames consuming the two-story home.

Utica Fire Chief Dave Edgecomb says the woman owns the home, Isabelle Duffy, has been out of state and no one was home when it started.

La Salle Fire used their ladder truck to douse the flames that quickly ate through the roof.  Part of the home collapsed.

It’s unclear what started the blaze.  The state fire marshall’s office is being called to investigate.

Operating budget and sewer work topics at Peru Council meeting

They’re trying something new in Peru- an operating budget.  In the past, the city has based their spending on what was appropriated, but Treasurer Gary Hylla has drawn up a 2011 operating budget.

The city council could approve the budget Wednesday night, but before they can, a budget hearing is being held at 7:15pm.  The regular meeting will follow at 7:30pm.

The council could also approve a nearly $66,000 bid for sanitary sewer work.

Smoking dust draws fire fighters to Peru plant

Smoking dust had the fire department called to a chemical company on Water Street in Peru Tuesday.

Flint Hills Resources Plant Manager Brian Marchinkus says it was pretty minor, but employees followed procedure by evacuating the building and calling the fire department.  He says pipe fitters were grinding a pipe, preparing to weld when the dust began smoking just before 7am.

Peru and La Salle fire fighters went down to the plant that used to be called Huntsman Chemicals.  Peru Fire Chief Jeff King says they didn’t have to do anything; it was taken care of by the time they arrived.

The all clear was given and it was back to business as usual not even an hour later.