A fire of unknown origins inflicted an estimated $1 million in damages and forced the evacuation of over 100 employees at Foutch Industries off Sparta Highway Friday afternoon.

The blaze, which began on a coating production line for brake rotors, was contained to the portion of the large building where it began. The fire; however, destroyed the line with owners suspecting they are looking at somewhere near $1 million in damages. The smoke spread throughout the building and could be seen venting through shafts on the roof. The employees of the factory were evacuated to the parking lot while Smithville and DeKalb County firemen contained the fire.

As for the cause, the source remains under investigation as no one was working in the area at the time the blaze began.