Hoopeston Fire Chief Joel Bird says remains from illegal fireworks being shot nearby may have led to the massive fire Sunday night (July 3rd) at the old Joan of Arc canning plant, along the railroad tracks just south of Thompson Street.
Chief Bird says the alarm was received around 10:30 PM, and firefighters from about a dozen different departments were on the scene until about 2:30 or 3 AM July 4th morning. No firefighters were injured.
Chief Bird says the recent extremely dry conditions made the abandoned structure susceptible, and that the structure should now most likely be torn down. He said a dollar value could not be given on the damage, as the abandoned plant did not have a significant value as it stood prior to the fire. He also says the remaining structure is quite dangerous and all should stay away from it.
