A popular restaurant across from Bath Iron Works was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. The fire at Southgate Family Restaurant was reported at 5:45 p.m., drawing crews from at least three neighboring towns to assist Bath firefighters.

It took about an hour to knock down the blaze, and Bath firefighters didn’t clear the scene until 9:35 p.m.

According to the fire department, the building is still standing but the interior sustained extensive damage.

The Associated Press reported this morning that Bath Fire Department Capt. Mark Wood considers the building a total loss due to extensive smoke and water damage.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating, and says the fire doesn’t appear suspicious, according to the AP.

The fire department told The Times Record on Wednesday that firefighters worked in very warm, humid weather and one firefighter was transported to a hospital for heat exhaustion.

No one was inside the building when the fire broke out.

The restaurant, located at 510 Washington St. near the shipyard’s south gate, serves breakfast and lunch and closes at 2 p.m.

News spread of the fire on social media along with community members expressing their sadness and shock, and hopes the owners will rebuild.

Sharing the news of the fire was BIW’s Local S6 union, writing on its Facebook page that, “The men and women that own it and work there have been absolutely wonderful to our members and our community. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com