PELL CITY, Ala. (WIAT) -- Firefighters in Pell City have been working to put out a fire at a Royal Foods plant since 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire has been contained to just the meat smoking facility, which Pell City Mayor Bill Pruitt said is because of the hard work of 12 responding agencies.
“When they need help, we respond," Pruitt said. "We need help, they respond, and they came out in force last night."
“That’s one of the great things about our department and the relationship we have with surrounding communities,” Pruitt continued.
The meat smoking facility was the original Royal Foods building. Pruitt said most of the operation from that meat smoking facility was already moved to the Royal Foods new facility before the fire started
“So that’s certainly going to be helpful in keeping things going while they rebuild,” Pruitt said.
According to the Pell City Chamber of Commerce, Royal Foods is one of the largest employers in the city.
“Just community support they give from employees to our local schools," said Urainah Glidewell, the executive director of the Pell City Chamber of Commerce. "They are just very involved in the local community."
Royal Foods employs 130 people at its Pell City plant. In a statement, Royals Foods General Manager Ricky Hall assured the public and all employees the company is not going anywhere, and no one would be losing their jobs.
“We want to ensure the public we will continue to be a staple of the business community," Hall stated. "This is a minor setback, and we will adapt and overcome. It is an opportunity to find new solutions that propel us into the future.”
Crews are focusing on making sure the fire is completely out. The scene is considered active as of 6 p.m. Wednesday.