BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) -- A man and his stepson were arrested after a massive fire destroyed the vacant Paul F. Beich Co. candy factory, billowing out large clouds of black smoke visible for up to 30 miles, authorities said Thursday.
Bloomington police said Joseph Nesbitt, 40, and Brent Clem Jr., 19, both of nearby Stanford, were arrested on burglary charges in Wednesday's blaze, which drew hundreds of onlookers. Traffic congestion contributed to at least two minor vehicle crashes.
A Bloomington firefighter suffered burns on his hands and arm while battling the blaze, police spokesman Duane Moss said. The firefighter was treated at a local hospital and released.
The men were being held without bond Thursday in the McLean County Jail. They were scheduled to make their first appearance Friday in McLean County Circuit Court, authorities said.
A telephone number for a Nesbitt had been disconnected and there was no listing for Clem in Stanford.
Authorities declined comment on what caused the fire, saying it remained under investigation.
Nearly 80 firefighters from Bloomington and Normal battled the blaze, which fire officials called one of the largest in recent memory in this central Illinois city.
Sugar-laden candymaking ingredients fueled the fire that destroyed the four-story plant, months before it was scheduled to be demolished. Authorities said the 170,000-square-foot building was valued at $150,000.
Candy production at the plant began around 1900 and ended in 1973 when production moved to a new facility. The building was later used for storage and offices.
Four years ago, the Beich family donated the building to Mid Central Community Action, which originally planned to convert it into a social service center. But in December, the organization abandoned those plans and announced it would demolish the building to create land for affordable single-family homes.
Paul F. Beich founded the company in 1893. The Beich Whiz bar, a chocolate-covered marshmallow confection, sold nationally from the 1930s through the 1950s. Beich also produced Golden Crumbles, Katydids and other brands at the site.
''I'm really real sad,'' said David Beich, great-grandson of the company founder.
He said many people at the scene approached him to express their remorse.
''They worked there. Their lives were there,'' he said.
