One day before archery deer season begins Web's Meat Processing in West Frankfort which processes deer meat is destroyed by fire.
WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. (WSIL)-- One day before archery deer season begins a local business that processes deer meat is destroyed by fire. It happened early this morning at Web's Meat Processing in West Frankfort, Illinois.
Some residents shared memories of the business.
Kristine Mitchell lives up the block from Web's Meat Processing in West Frankfort and was shocked to learn, that a business her stepfather used for over 20 years, is no longer after it caught fire early Monday morning.
“We used to get like the salami and stuff and he would always call me up and say well I got this and you know, I've got slim Jims here for you. And so I always got something every year,� Mitchell said.
Just one day before the official start of deer hunting season in Illinois a popular business essential for local hunters is left destroyed.
“That's gonna be a pretty big loss for West Frankfort because that's a big money-making place,� Mitchell said.
Fire crews were there looking for the possible cause. West Frankfort’s Fire Chief Derek Saliez says they received the call at 3:15 A.M., and are investigating what happened.
“We've got the city's backhoe in getting us access to some of the collapsed hotspots and going through meticulous investigation,� Chief Saliez said.
The manager of Web’s Meat Processing says they’re still dealing with a lot of emotions following the loss of their business and that it will not only impact locals but also hunters who will come from out of state to get their meat processed.
And for Mitchell, she says the neighborhood business is one where she always felt welcome.
“You go in there and you place your order and tell them what you want, how you want it cut and you know what you want,� Mitchell says “It was great. And I know I had a couple of friends that worked there throughout the years.�
She hopes they can rebuild one day.
West Frankfort Fire Department says the Fire Marshall called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in to investigate because of the type of business Web's Meat Processing is.
