Less than 12 hours after a devastating fire destroyed its downtown Stoney Creek office, it’s business as usual at Centennial Law Group.

The firm is up and running in a temporary Hamilton location following an early morning three-alarm blaze on Jan. 12.

Philip Anthony Kuca, a partner with the firm, said Centennial has been able to recover files from its on-site and offsite servers.

“We do have precautionary measures,” Kuca said in a phone interview on Jan. 12. “All of our file contents have been restored.”

“We want to ensure the clients are of the utmost importance. Nobody is going to be adversely affected by this.”

Hamilton fire officials responded to the 2.5-storey, wood frame law office at 19 King St. W. at 12:33 a.m. With the building fully engulfed in flames, firefighters were able to knock down the blaze and prevent damage to neighbouring buildings.

The Ontario Fire Marshal is now investigating.

Despite not yet being granted access to the building, Kuca believes furniture and other items from the rear of the property could be salvageable.

He declined to comment on a possible cause for the blaze, but does not believe the firm had any disgruntled clients.

Kuca said Centennial’s staff is currently making arrangements to move furniture and other essentials to a temporary office at 69 Hughson St. N. in downtown Hamilton.

He credited John Vitulli and members of the Hamilton Bar for their assistance in setting up temporary headquarters.

Kuca said Centennial remains committed to the Stoney Creek office, but the firm is awaiting word from its insurance company on the next step.

“We love the Stoney Creek area,” said Kuca. “Our intention is to go back.”

The building is owned by a holding company controlled by Kuca and his business partners.

Kuca said the fire disrupted the law firm’s telephone service for about one hour, but the lines are currently back in service as staff transitions to the Hughson Street office.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, but damage is estimated at more than $500,000.