Firefighters from nine towns were called to put out Tuesday morning’s fire at the Winthrop Post Office.

WINTHROP — A fire ripped through the Winthrop Post Office Tuesday morning, sending heavy smoke into the air

Crews say the entire building is destroyed. The roof has completely collapsed.

Luckily, they got everyone inside out safely, but fire officials say it took just minutes for the flames to take over the building

The fire chief says heating equipment in the ceiling may have malfunctioned but they’re still investigating a cause.

Crews are still putting out hot spots.

They say everything, including the mail inside, is destroyed

“I don’t think much mail is gone out yet this morning and anything that’s in there is pretty much ruined. So I don’t believe there will be any mail deliveries. And I don’t know what they’re doing overall. I’m sure they’re working on a plan,” Chief Dan Brooks, Winthrop Fire Department, said.

The U.S. Postal Inspectors say they’ve taken over the investigation of the fire.

According to a USPS statement, there is no timetable for resuming operations at this location.

According to spokesman Steve Doherty, in addition to retail services, the office held 545 post office boxes and handled five delivery routes.

Post office box customers are asked to report to the Manchester Maine Post Office at 31 Readville Road beginning Wednesday. Customers should bring a photo ID to claim their mail in the retail lobby after 9 a.m. 

The lobby is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Street delivery will also resume Wednesday, according to Doherty. The only change to street delivery is for notices left for items requiring a signature; those items can be picked up at the Manchester Post Office.

Postal officials are awaiting clearance to enter the building and determine the extent of any damage to mail and parcels. Customers are advised to contact anyone they were expecting mail from to determine its status. Customers awaiting a package with tracking data indicating that it was at the facility this morning can go to usps.com, select “help” and click the link to “file a claim” to begin the process.

Additional updates will be provided to the community as available, according to Doherty.