A three-alarm fire broke out in an office building on Columbia Road in Hanover around 2 a.m. Wednesday.
The fire has since been extinguished, but fire crews are still on scene at the three-story building, which houses the Jack Conway Realtor's office and other businesses. The fire appears to have started at the back of the building, which is believed to be a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Roads in the area were temporarily closed but most have since reopened.
Hanover Fire Chief Jeff Blanchard said when first responders arrived on scene, they found heavy smoke and fire. Firefighters were initially unable to enter the structure because of those conditions.
There was an automatic fire alarm in the building but it did not work, according to Blanchard, and firefighters had difficulty with the hydrants. This may cause discolored water for Hanover residents, according to the town's Department of Public Works.
The building is still unsafe to enter at this point, so firefighters will have to use machinery to sort through the damage.
Mutual aid responded to help put out the fire, including firefighters from Rockland and Duxbury.
