The fire started in an area of new construction in the the roof of the X-3 assembly warehouse, BMW spokesman Sky Foster said.

Although the fire occurred "far away" from where cars were being assembled, the line was stopped for about 50 minutes and the entire hall was evacuated, Foster said. Production has now resumed, he added.

Fire departments from Pelhem-Batesville and surrounding communities responded to the blaze. Late Thursday night a fire engineer was inspecting the roof, Foster said. . According to Barry Pittman, volunteer captain for the primary responding fire department, some sections of the warehouse roof were removed.

Four engines and one ladder truck were dispatched from Pelhem-Batesville. 18 firefighters were still on the scene late Thursday night.

As of 11:15 p.m. the fire was under control, Pittman said. No firefighters or plant workers were injured.

-- Rachael Myers Lowe