An ember from a wood-burning stove is believed to be the cause of the fire Monday night at an Alamco Wood Products building used for drying wood, Albert Lea Fire Department Lt. Al Schallock said Thursday.

Schallock said the ember likely fell out of the stove when an employee raked coals and an ember fell near a plastic bucket by the wall of the building.

The fire, which was contained to the single building, was called into authorities just before 8:30 p.m. Monday when some of the company’s employees working second shift went outside for their supper break at 8:25 p.m., smelled smoke and saw the fire.

The building — which is wood-lined on the interior with metal siding on the exterior — is on the north end of the company’s campus. Inside there was a wood furnace, stored wood and a tractor.

Schallock said the department ruled out an electrical problem as the cause of the fire because the only electrical item in the building — a fan — was not operational.

Alamco General Manager John Forman said the company’s internal investigation into the matter is still ongoing. The company has also not yet determined a dollar value of the loss from the building.

A contractor is coming Monday to give an estimate for repairs, Forman said.

Alamco Wood Products is at 1410 W. Ninth St. in Albert Lea and is owned by New Brighton-based Bell Lumber & Pole.