More than 100 people have been sent to refuge stations underground at the PotashCorp Allan mine after an afternoon fire.

As of late Monday night 109 workers were still underground awaiting clearance to leave the underground mine.

PotashCorp spokesperson Randy Burton told CTV News the workers were sent to the refuge stations as a precaution to avoid smoke from the fire.

Five people have made it out of the mine safely and one is being checked out for smoke inhalation.

Burton said work is underway to remove the remaining workers who are still underground.