CHEROKEE, AL – An early morning fire consumed a portion of a Barton, Alabama industry. The blaze was reported early Saturday at the Essity facility on Haley Drive. Smoke and flames could be seen for miles around the scene. Firefighters from multiple departments in Northwest Alabama were called to assist in battling the fire. The 1.2 million square foot facility is used to produce commercial paper-based hygiene products including tissues, napkins, and paper towels. Around 500 people are employed at the Barton site that was built in 2003. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.