Firefighters were at a dog food factory after a dryer in one of the compartments inside the factory caught fire.

The fire started around 10:30 p.m. Monday at the United Valley Pet Food factory, a company that makes and distributes dog food at 400 Inglewood Drive in the Lower Valley.

The fire caused a lot of smoke in the area, prompting some residents to call 911.

"Our concern was that it was smoldering and we didn't want it to escalate. Of course the product and the combination of smoke was our main concern," said El Paso Fire Battalion Chief Matt Hiatt.

The heavy smoke wasn't toxic to neighbors, but it was heavy at times, firefighters said.

"You had the normal particulates and stuff that we would be concerned," said Hiatt. "But as far as the recordings we were getting around there, it didn't post any immediate threat to the residents in the area."

Several workers were present at the time, but none was injured.

The biggest challenge we had was gaining access within this machine," said Hiatt.

Eventually holes were cut in the dog-food drying compartment so water could be sprayed inside.

El Paso Gas Company was called out to shut off the main gas line to make sure the fire wouldn't spread any further

It took firefighters more than an hour to get the fire under control and contain it within that single building.