by MATT HUGHES
J-E News Editor
Firefighters responded to a blaze at Smith Metals in Providence Friday morning. According to company owner Tim Smith, workers ignited the blaze while disassembling a retired railroad caboose.
According to Smith, the historic caboose came to him from Wheatcroft where it had been out of service for many years. He said that before deciding to scrap the caboose, he had attempted several times to sell it, but its condition was to deteriorated to interest buyers.
Firefighters quickly had the situation under control. Steve Burns and Mark Turner responded to the call for Providence, and Scott Bright of the Dixon Fire Department was on the scene as well.