Emergency services are on scene of a major fire in downtown Hanover this morning.
Hanover Police say in a release officers on patrol located a structure fire at the former Forum Hotel rooming house at 315 10th Street in Hanover just prior to 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The fire also affected the building at 309 10th Street, which houses Fabulous Fashions.
“Hanover officers summoned the Hanover Fire Department to respond and entered the building to alert residents and assist with the evacuation,” a statement from Hanover Police explains. “When officers entered the building, it was filled with heavy smoke, making the rescue and evacuation efforts difficult.”
Firefighters from Hanover, Walkerton, West Grey, Elmwood and Inter-Township fire departments are on scene and have been working to prevent the blaze from spreading further to neighbouring buildings. Police and fire crews also evacuated residents from surrounding buildings.
Images from the scene earlier this morning showed massive clouds of smoke billowing from the buildings, as bright orange flames lit up the interior on multiple floors.
A witness at the scene tells us firefighters appeared to have the blaze mostly under control by 7:30 a.m. Crews continued to blast the buildings on 10th Street in Hanover with water cannons from the street, but large flames were no longer visible.
In an update at 11 a.m., Knoll says fire crews remain on scene pumping water into hot spots and flare ups. 
Hanover Police Chief Christopher Knoll says on social media: “we believe all of the residents escaped the fire, however, officers are attempting to confirm this information.”
“Due to the transient nature of many of the residents officers are continuing to confirm that the fire resulted in no loss of human life. Some pets belonging to the residents may have perished in the fire,” a statement from Hanover Police says.
10th Street in Hanover is closed from 9th Ave to 11th Ave. Police advise the closure is expected to continue to rest of the day.
“We are asking everyone to avoid the downtown core,” Knoll says.
Two Hanover Police officers received treatment for smoke inhalation at the scene by Grey County Paramedics.
Displaced residents are encouraged to attend at the Grace United Church located on 12th Street in Hanover where social service agencies have staged to provide assistance related to their primary needs and necessities of life.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
The Hanover Police Services continue to investigate in partnership with the Hanover Fire Department and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Editor’s note: This story was updated from an earlier version to include new information.
