AUBURN — Fire crews were at Formed Fiber Technologies early Saturday morning mopping up after a blaze that burned inside the building late Friday night.

The fire was called in shortly before 11:30 p.m. Minutes later, a second alarm was sounded and more firefighters responded.

One witness said there were no flames to be seen from outside the building, though smoke was seen drifting from the rear of the building. By midnight, the fire was said to be out, though crews remained on scene, cleaning up and beginning an investigation.

About 40 employees were seen leaving the plant at 125 Allied Road and waited in the parking lot. A United Ambulance was also at the scene with dozens of firefighters from Auburn and Lewiston.

Police and fire crews blocked off access to the building as the effort continued into Saturday morning.

It was not immediately clear what burned or how much damage was caused.

Formed Fiber Technologies, formerly Gates Formed Fibre, sits off  Washington Street a short distance from the turnpike exit. It is North America's largest manufacturer of needlepunched nonwoven fabrics and polyester staple fibers, according to its website.