Two waste transfer buildings at Waste Management were destroyed by fire Tuesday night. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

According to the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, the fire broke out just after 8 p.m. Tuesday in the transfer buildings across the roadway from the company’s office building. One building is for waste transfer, and the second is for recycling and waste transfer.

Truck maintenance personnel working in an adjacent building reported it to authorities.

Seven fire departments, including the Clarks Grove, Manchester, Freeborn, Alden, Hartland, Albert Lea and Albert Lea Township fire departments battled the blaze. No one was hurt.

Clarks Grove Fire Chief Carl Anderson said fire crews left around 1 a.m. Wednesday but were back putting out hot spots later in the morning. Anderson said the structure is a total loss.

It was still smoldering as of press time.

Information from the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office stated that though the cause of the fire is still undetermined, there is a possibility that the fire started from hot ash or something similar from a truck that unloaded about a half hour prior to reporting time.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating.

Julie Ketchum, government affairs officer with Waste Management, said the company plans to continue functioning at the office and maintenance shop. The address of the Clarks Grove facility is 25237 755th Ave.

The company is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for an emergency response plan, Ketchum said.

Also assisting at the scene were the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, the Freeborn County Highway Department, Freeborn County Emergency Management, Freeborn County Environmental Services, Albert Lea Medical Center, Albert Lea Police Department, the Albert Lea Salvation Army and the Freeborn County American Red Cross.

Albert Lea Salvation Army Capt. Jim Brickson said Salvation Army personnel were called in at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday to serve water and meals to the firemen. The crew went home at 2 a.m. and came back at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Brickson said as of early Wednesday morning about 95 meals and beverages had been served.

He expected to continue to be at the site throughout the day on Wednesday.