CUDAHY, WIS. – A fire broke out at a Smithfield dry sausage and bacon processing plant in Cudahy, Wis., on Jan. 4, resulting in one person going to the hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

Emergency officials first received a report about the fire around 7:26 a.m., which reported the smoke on the facility’s third and fourth floors. 

“The fire was contained by the sprinkler system and fully extinguished by firefighting crews,” the Cudahy Fire Department said in a statement.

Damage from the fire was reported as minor and confined to the machinery, according to the fire department. The plant employs approximately 1,000 workers. 

“There was a small fire in one room in our Cudahy facility that was quickly contained with minor damage,” said Ray Atkinson, spokesperson for Smithfield to MEAT+POULTRY. “One employee was taken to a local hospital and was later released. The area was not being used at the time and our operations were unaffected.”

Officials also thanked supporting local fire departments who responded to the scene for assistance.

The facility employs approximately 1,000 workers.