Updated at 11 p.m. 05/19/2022.
Police officials in Hanover say the downtown core will likely be closed throughout the weekend after a fire destroyed several buildings.
According to the Hanover Police Service, officers on patrol noticed a structure fire at around 2:20 a.m. Thursday at the former Forum Hotel Rooming House on 10th Street.
The Hanover Fire Department was called in and mutual aid was also eventually requested from Walkerton, West Grey, Elmwood and the Inter-Township departments.
In an update provided late Thursday evening, police confirmed the former Forum Hotel and Fabulous Fashions clothing store were destroyed in the blaze and are being demolished for safety reasons. Johnny K Sports continues to be assessed and the extent of the damage will be better known as cleanup begins.
At this point in the investigation, police say they have not received any missing persons reports and all known residents of are accounted for.
Some pets belonging to the residents may have perished in the fire, however Hanover police has not reported any animal casualties. No other injuries were reported, though two Hanover officers received treatment for smoke inhalation at the scene by Grey County Paramedics.
Police continue to ask that everyone avoid Hanover's downtown core and 10th Street remains closed to traffic and pedestrians between 9th Avenue and 11th Avenue while the debris is searched through for possible evidence.
Business owners in the immediate area are asked to inform their customers to enter their stores only through back entrances off the alleyways rather than the storefronts.
Community partners are working with all displaced residents to meet their most urgent needs as longer-term planning continues.
Displaced residents have been encouraged to attend at the Grace United Church located on 12th Street in Hanover where social service agencies have staged to provide assistance.
The Hanover Police Service continues to investigate the causes of the fire that remain unknown at this time in partnership with the Hanover Fire Department and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Investigators would also like to speak with anyone that may have footage of the fire, particularly between midnight and 3 a.m. of May 19. Hanover Police investigators can be reached at 519-364-4280 extension: 101.
HPS is on scene of a fully engulfed fire at Fabulous Fashions & the former Forum Hotel Rooming House. Fire crews from Hanover, Walkerton, West Grey and Elmwood continue to battle the blaze. We are asking everyone to avoid the Downtown Core. 10th Street is closed from 9th Ave to pic.twitter.com/fUmewc2Lu9
— Christopher Knoll (@ChiefKnoll) May 19, 2022