A three-alarm fire has broken out this afternoon at a historic building on Hancock Street in Quincy.
The fire was reported just before noon at 1170 Hancock St.
Everyone is out of the building, Quincy police said. The building, the Quincy Masonic Building, was built in 1926 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, according to the building’s website.
Authorities said people were doing work in the basement, where the fire may have started, and spread up through the ductwork.
“The fire is really strong,†said Howard Jacobs, the owner of Toodie’s Fine Jewelry, which is located directly across the street from the temple. “There are huge flames engulfing the roof and black, black smoke. There are huge clumps of ash on my doorsteps.â€
Jacobs said he saw four fire engines and three ambulances at the scene, and said he couldn’t count the number of firefighters.
“[Firefighters] are on the roof, and some went through the front door with a couple hoses,†Jacobs said. “There are firemen everywhere.â€
At around 1 p.m., all firefighters were ordered out of the building; firefighters continued to attack the blaze from outside.
TV station helicopter video footage showed firefighters atop aerial ladders pouring water on the orange flames, while black smoke billowed into the sky.
Greg Everett, owner of nearby Kenny’s Locks, said, “The roof is burning the most. It still seems fairly strong.â€
He said the walls of the building were granite and “I don’t think it’s going to burn through that.â€
The National Weather Service said the plume of smoke from the fire was so voluminous that hit had been picked up by weather radar.
The Patriot Ledger of Quincy reported July 20 that the building was up for sale for $3 million.
