CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A fire ignited at the Excell Minerals Plant in Clinton Township, Butler County on Saturday afternoon.

Sky 4 reported fire crews responded to the facility on Saxonburg Boulevard just before 1:30 p.m.

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WTAE Channel 4's Tara Edwards reported a passerby spotted the heavy flames and smoke after 1 p.m. and called the Saxonburg Fire Department. Witnesses at the scene described seeing thick black smoke emanating from the facility on Saxonburg Boulevard.

"When I got here, I was the fist person on the scene and it was already through the roof," Saxonburg Assistant Fire Chief Chris Sallina said.

Action News has learned that crews from at least 14 local agencies spent hours knocking down the fire.

Firefighters said the plant is used to make fertilizer from beet juice and lime. Authorities said water was one of the biggest obstacles as crews raced to bring it in via several tanker trucks.

"Water's always an issue, always an issue," Sallina said.

Upon gaining control of the fire, officials allowed some employees to get paperwork from inside the building -- but it didn't last long. When a wall collapsed, fire officials ordered everyone out.

There were no immediate reports of injuries and no one was inside the building when the fire started.

Butler County hazardous materials crews responded as a precaution.

Fire officials deemed the building a total loss.

Refresh this page often and watch Channel 4 Action News for the latest updates.

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