The Citizen staff report

An early morning fire Monday broke out at one of the county's most notable businesses.

Emergency units from several fire departments were called to a fire shortly before 7 a.m. at MacKenzie-Childs, the dinnerware and home furnishings manufacturer in Aurora.

A fire broke out in the kiln room in the main building. Firefighters initially attacked the blaze with existing extinguishers, as the fire crept up the roof line. Once equipment and hoses were set up, the fire was brought under control.

Heat from the kiln vent had started the fire, according to the firefighters on the scene.

"We saved a lot of jobs today," said George Farenthold, Aurora trustee and volunteer firefighter.

One Mackenzine-Childs employee was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and released.

Seven area departments responded to the fire.

"We don't get many fires any more," said Kevin Jones of the Aurora Fire Department. "It's been about two years since anything like that."