PERU – A Peru teenager has been sentenced to five years ofprobation after pleading guilty tosetting afire that destroyed part of a building that was once home to a clock factory in northern Illinois.

The 15-year-old boy was sentenced Tuesday in LaSalle County Juvenile Court. He also was sentenced to 240 hours of community service. Judge Daniel Bute ordered the boy released to his mother. LaSalle Countyprobation officials had requested 90 days in a state youth lockup. The boy says he is “sincerely sorry.”

The boy is accused of helping setfire to the Westclox building on New Year’s Eve. Officials say three dozenfire departments responded to the blaze. Thefire caused more than $400,000 in damages.Many residents in nearby homes wereforced to evacuate.