Sign Up Today and Support Local Journalism
Enjoy more articles from Bloomington’s Most Trusted Information Source. Subscribers can log in for unlimited digital access
LINCOLN — The Lincoln fire chief says workers deconstructing a piece of equipment started a fire in the former Ardagh Group factory on Wednesday.
The Lincoln city and rural fire departments responded to the 1200 N. Logan St. building, an old bottle factory.
“Since the power and gas had been shut off for some time, it was easier to put out,” said Lincoln Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky.
The factory closed in April 2019, leaving about 150 people out of work.
Jack Merreighn, who lives a block from the factory, on Kankakee Street, said he knew something was wrong when he looked up.
“I was on my back deck and seen all the black smoke so my granddaughter and I walked over to see if anyone needed my help. By then the police and firefighters were on the scene,” Merreighn said.
Various area fire departments helped, Dunovsky said. The interior temperature at one point reached 600 degrees.
Slideshow: The unique sports names of Central Illinois
Arcola Purple Riders
Arcola Purple Riders, named after a newspaper headline, “The Purple and White Rides Again.”
Cobden Appleknockers
The Cobden Appleknockers adopted their nickname to honor the laborers who used sticks to knock apples out of trees during harvest.
Lincoln Railsplitters
Lincoln Railsplitters, an homage to Abraham Lincoln’s nickname.
Teutopolis Wooden Shoes
In 1860, George Dymann, an immigrant from Germany, came to Teutopolis and started making shoes out of wood. In the 1930s, the town decided to make the Wooden Shoes the mascot.
Image source: twitter.com/unit50sports
Vandalia Vandals
Vandalia Vandals. The Germans who settled Vandalia were distant relation to the Germanic Vandal tribes that once looted ancient Rome. The Vandals’ sacking of Rome is the origin of the word “vandalism.”
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
