Firefighters are on scene at AA Hammersmith Insurance Agency.

A major fire scorched the A.A. Hammersmith Insurance Agency building during a downpour of rain Monday night. Firefighters were still on the scene at 10 p.m.

Massillon Assistant Fire Chief Larry Layne said flames were still present but firefighters were able to save a large portion of the main office building.

Representatives of Hammersmith were called in to remove computers and other items from the building.

When firefighters arrived on scene, heavy smoke was coming from the back of the building.

Flames reaching 30-to-40 feet were visible from the front and the roof of the building, 210 Erie St. N, through much of the initial two hours. Firefighters were fighting the blaze from the outside of the building.

Cause of the fire was not determined as of Monday night, according to Layne.

No one was inside the building when the fire broke out, Layne said.

The fire was reported just before 8 p.m. Monday, a dispatcher said.

Police closed portions of Erie Street N, North Avenue NE, First Street NE and Lincoln Way E for much of the night to help control traffic and allow firefighters to better battle the blaze.

Dozens of onlookers watched the building burn, as fire departments from Bethlehem, Perry and Jackson townships assisted Massillon firefighters at the scene.

Started in 1874, Hammersmith is the third oldest business in Massillon, according to local historian Margy Vogt.

Cars, boats and the Downtown Massillon Association’s Christmas decorations were stored in the building.