Fire crews and RCMP were called Tuesday morning to a massive blaze at the Glanbia Nutritionals Plant near Angusville.
Firefighters said there were three people inside the buildnig when the fire started around 6 a.m. They said they noticed smoke in the warehouse area and called 911, before managing to get out.
No injuries were reported.
When firefighters arrived, the blaze had already made the structure too dangerous for crews to get inside.
All they could do was fight the flames from outside the building, but that too was a challenge.
"We pretty much opened up the tin around most of the building so that we can get access to what's actually burning. If you don't get water on the actual fire it doesn't go out," said Kevin Hickman from Birtle Fire Department.
"It's a major fire which looks like pretty much a complete loss," he said.
The Glanbia site in western Manitoba is located about one mile (1.6 km) south of PR 476 and PR 45.
RCMP said no traffic disruptions were caused by the fire.
A member of the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner is set to help with the investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Officials have not yet released a damage estimate.
According to employees, about 50 people work at the plant, making it a major employer in the RM of Silver Creek with a population of just 500.
Glanbia officials could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. The RM said the company has owned the plant for about three years, after buying it from a local family.
RM officials said the company was planning to expand in the area.
- with a report from CTV's Josh Crabb
