The state of emergency has ended in Cudahy, where about 300 employees have returned to work at the Patrick Cudahy Inc. plant after a fire that destroyed some of the buildings at the facility.

"I thank everyone for their patients, prayers and support during these trying times.  This was a team effort and resident should be proud of all the City of Cudahy workers that participated," said Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue, who ended the state of emergency at midnight.

Some of the ashes from the fire, which started Sunday night, continued to smolder this morning. The Cudahy Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Dan Habighorst, vice president of human resources for Patrick Cudahy, said salaried office staff and maintenance staff returned to work at the plant Tuesday.

The plant's production staff of about 1,400 people have been laid off and are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance compensation, he said.

The company hopes to reopen the production area that was not affected by the fire next week, he said.

"A little bit more than half the plant will be able to get back to operating, hopefully early next week," Habighorst said.

The areas unaffected by the fire include the sliced bacon department (which includes the Sweet Apple Wood smokehouses), the dry sausage department, the refinery and part of the microwave department, he said.

The areas that were destroyed by the fire include the boiled ham operation and part of the microwave bacon department.

Habighorst said decisions about the future of the plant have yet to be made. However, he believes the company is committed to keeping the Cudahy plant operating into the future.

"We have a long-standing operation here, and we plan to keep it operating," he said.

A fund has been established by the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1473 to help the families of the workers who are laid off. Donations of money and non-perishable food items can be made to: Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund, UFCW Local 1473,

2001 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226

"Local 1473 has a long and proud history of coming to the aid of fellow brothers and sisters in the Labor Community. Today we ask that fellow union brothers and sisters and community members to help our members and their families in the aftermath of this tragic event; in their time of need," said John Eiden, president of Local 1473.