A fire at Inland Steel is out after burning for over 12 hours, but its cause remains under investigation.

Legacy Regional Protective Services declared the blaze out around 3 a.m. Sept. 22, according to Fire Chief Dean Peters. Crews were first called to the scene around 3 p.m. Sept. 21.

No injuries were reported. Company representatives confirmed everyone was safe shortly after the incident started.

The blaze was located in the R.M. of Wilton, according to Protective Services County of Vermilion River.

Nine departments responded, including all three Legacy Regional Protective Services stations.

Crews also came from Kitscoty,Blackfoot, Paradise Valley, Britannia, Lloydminster, Wainwright, Maidstone Waseca and District and Manitou Lake.

RCMP, Wilton Police, County of Vermilion River Bylaw and EMS also responded. Dispatch services from both Alberta and Saskatchewan coordinated the effort.

At the peak of the call, more than a dozen fire apparatus worked the scene. Crews estimate they used more than 1 million gallons of water to bring the flames under control.

The City of Lloydminster provided access to a hydrant. Cenovus Energy supplied water to fight the blaze and its aerial ladder truck.

Britannia was toned out for mutual aid at 4:40 p.m. Sept. 21, the department said in a Facebook post. Two tankers responded with four members.

Crews set up portable tanks to draft water alongside tankers from Protective Services County of Vermilion River, letting water flow without a truck hooked to a hydrant.

A ladder truck and a second pumper also responded. The ladder truck was requested at 6:50 p.m. so its extended reach could spray water into the metal pile from above.

Eight Britannia members were released from the scene at 3 a.m. and back in service by about 5:20 a.m., the department said.

“It was a fine dance of trucks moving and working together to make sure we all got the job done,” Britannia Fire Department said in its post.

Protective Services County of Vermilion River said it requested tanker support from Kitscoty, Blackfoot and Paradise Valley were called for what became a significant, hours-long response.

EC911 dispatchers handled the increased radio traffic, and Wilton Police provided traffic control. Cenovus Energy again supplied water for crews.

“Even though this fire wasn’t in our county, our firefighters and first responders worked diligently and co-operatively to safeguard residents across the region,” the agency said in a statement.

“I want to thank all the communities who provided assistance to us during one of the biggest fires we’ve faced,” said Peters.

“The coordination between our departments was essential in bringing the fire under control,” he said.

Peters said most of the firefighters on scene were volunteers.

“I also want to thank all the firefighters who attended. The majority of them on scene were volunteers giving up time from their families to help a nearby community,” said Peters.

“The sacrifices of their families for all the time they provide is also greatly appreciated.”

Wind carried smoke from the fire as far north as Onion Lake, according to BorderPulse readers in the area.

The cause remains under investigation. Peters said he believes provincial officials will attend the scene, though that has not been confirmed.