A fire last weekend at the Amalgamated Sugar plant in Paul, Idaho, caused an estimated $10 million in damage.

The fire, in the pulp shreds warehouse, started at about 11:30 p.m. May 10.

All employees were accounted for and safe, according to a statement from the Boise-based cooperative. Operations at the rest of the plant, which was not damaged, resumed May 11.

The West End Fire District in Paul immediately called on surrounding departments to provide mutual aid, Jesse Beaver, West End chief, told Capital Press. Sixty to 65 firefighters and 15 to 16 engines from nine departments were involved.

“We released them about 8 a.m. Saturday,” he said. “West End stayed on the scene until about 9:30 that night.”

The building involved is about 24,000 square feet — 300 feet long and 80 feet wide — and 110 feet tall, Beaver said.

“We needed water supply, so we had a lot of tankers running to keep us with enough water rolling,” he said. “I don’t think anyone has had a fire that big for quite a while.”

Crews kept the fire from spreading beyond the pulp shreds warehouse building, Beaver said. He estimated building and product damage at $10 million but said Amalgamated officials continue to assess it.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said.

Amalgamated officials are working with the fire department to determine the cause, according to the company statement.

Holly Luna, communications manager for Amalgamated, would not comment on the fire except to say plant and company managers continue to work on an action plan. The company will have more information after the investigation is completed.

Pulp shreds are stored in the warehouse until they are sold, she said.

Beet pulp remains after sugar beets are cleaned, sliced and soaked in hot water to recover sugar, according to the Amalgamated website. The pulp is pressed and dried to about 10% moisture for use as a livestock feed ingredient. The company, which operates several plants, produces about 230,000 tons of dried pulp a year.

“We are incredibly grateful that all of our employees are safe following the recent fire,” Fran Malecha, Amalgamated Sugar president and CEO, said. “Their well-being is always our top priority, and we are relieved that the fire has been contained. Thank you to everyone for your cooperation.”

Amalgamated Sugar is “committed to the safety of our employees and the community,” he said. “We appreciate the swift response and efforts of our local firefighters, including several of our own employees who are emergency responders.”