RUMFORD – The roof of the former Puiia Hardware and Home Center on Prospect Avenue collapsed under the weight of snow Sunday.

Now, plans are under way to remove the building that has stood at the bottom of Falls Hill for at least five decades.

Fire Chief John Woulfe said Monday afternoon that he, Code Enforcement Officer Rick Kent, building owner Mike Hammond and representatives from the Maine Department of Environmental Preservation met early Monday morning to plot a plan for the building’s removal. The DEP is involved because the building likely contains asbestos, and it and associated sheds at the rear of the building are adjacent to Bean Brook.

Town Manager Jim Doar said the roof appeared to be collapsing and the building buckling began last week. He said parts of the building were hanging over the sidewalk.

Firefighters cordoned off the building Sunday, said Woulfe, then notified Hammond of the roof collapse. Woulfe said Hammond has insurance on the building.

Kent issued a demolition permit Monday afternoon, Woulfe said.

Woulfe said a network of storage sheds is at the rear of the building, with many also in jeopardy of collapsing.

The roof of a second large building that had been part of the Puiia complex, located along Spruce Street, was being shoveled off Monday afternoon.

The Puiia hardware business had operated for about 50 years when it was closed, then sold to the Hammond family of Hammond Lumber. The buildings have been vacant since the sale.