A major fire at a large poultry processing plant in the southeastern Minnesota town of St. Charles has prompted evacuation.

Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand says the entire city of St. Charles is being evacuated because of a fire at North Star Foods.

He says residents should go to the Lewiston-Altura High School. Buses are standing by to help in the evacuation if needed.

There will be no access to the city. Brand also says a hazardous materials team is being called in because two anhydrous ammonia tanks are being threatened by the fire.

Brand says the fire started about 10:30 a.m. and was still burning out of control at 2 p.m.

There are no reports of serious injuries or deaths connected to the fire.

North Star Foods employs about 150 people.