Ellsworth Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a commercial structure fire at 1:02 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Pierce County Recycling Center (707 N. Maple St.)

Staff evacuated the building after employees discovered the fire on the production line; heavy smoke could be seen from all sides of the building, according to a news released from Fire Chief Derek Featherstone. EMS evaluated three staff members on the scene, though none were taken to the hospital.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire, containing it to one conveyor. Crews remained on the scene until recycling center staff could remove product bales from the compactor to make sure the fire was out.

Solid Waste Operations Manager Tony Pfaff said the fire occurred in the baler infeed conveyor which is located inside the Materials Recovery Facility.

“Extent of the damage was mostly contained to the baler infeed conveyor and closely surrounding areas,” Pfaff said.

Ellsworth Fire responded with three engines and one ladder truck. A MABAS alert brought mutual aid from River Falls Fire, Prescott Fire, United Fire, Spring Valley Fire and Allina EMS; all mutual aid was cancelled besides River Falls Fire and Allina EMS. Ellsworth Police, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Pierce County Highway Department and Ellsworth Area Ambulance Service assisted at the scene.