February 12, 2025
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Momence fire guts Gilster-Mary Lee plant

By Lee Provost
Flames emerge from the Gilster-Mary Lee factory in Momence on Tuesday, Feb. 11, evening as firefighters work to contain and extinguish the blaze. Momence Fire Chief Jim Spoon estimated damages reached between $10 - $15 million.

Flames emerge from the Gilster-Mary Lee factory in Momence on Tuesday, Feb. 11, evening as firefighters work to contain and extinguish the blaze. Momence Fire Chief Jim Spoon estimated damages reached between $10 - $15 million. (Provided by Michael Peters)

MOMENCE — A late-night fire at Momence’s Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. plant caused upwards of $10-million to $15-million of damages, according to preliminary reports.

Momence Fire Protection District Chief Jim Spoon said fire broke out at about 11 p.m. Tuesday and crews were still on hand monitoring the site at 8:30 a.m. today.

There were no injuries reported. Production crews were working at the time of the fire.

Gilster-Mary Lee, a Chester, Ill.-based company, produces a variety of food products for private labels, often store generic brands.

The Momence site produces hot chocolate mixes, chocolate, caramel and strawberry flavored syrups and tiny marshmallows for mixes.

Momence is one of the company’s 13 sites, according to its website.