A fire at the Rivian plant in Normal forced the evacuation of the plant for an hour and a half Thursday morning.

The fire occurred beneath a section of the conveyor that moves vehicle chassis along the assembly line on the west side of the building, the Normal Fire Department said.

The flames did not spread beyond the area, but firefighters said it took some time to ventilate the smoke and conduct air quality tests in the building. The department returned control of the building to Rivian around 1 p.m. Thursday.

“Firefighters were already on Rivian property for an unrelated incident,” the fire department said. “Firefighters quickly used fire extinguishers and extinguished the fire until additional fire personnel arrived to assist. Employees were safely evacuated from the building.”

A Rivian worker was treated for mild smoke inhalation.

A damage estimate is not available.

“The Bloomington Fire Department assisted with an ambulance and engine company, and off-duty Normal firefighters were called to be available for any additional calls in the city of Normal during this incident,” the department said. firefighters.