Efforts to save a burning house in Hanover early Tuesday were hampered by difficulty getting water, firefighters said.

The rambling Queen Anne style home at 70 Elm St. is a total loss, despite the efforts of firefighters from Hanover, Norwell, Rockland, Pembroke and Hanson, Deputy Hanover Fire Chief Barbara Stone said.

The house is at the end of a long driveway some 1,000 feet from Elm Street and the nearest hydrant, which was about 500 feet away, was obstructed by brush, Stone said. Firefighters had to lay about 1,200 feet of hose to get enough water to the blaze, she said.

Hanover firefighters received a call at about 2:25 a.m. reporting smoke on Pantoosett Road.

The owner does not live at the house on Elm Street and Stone said that firefighters did not encounter anyone who lived in the building at the scene.

Hanover firefighters and the State Fire Marshal’s Office were trying to determine the fire’s cause Tuesday.

Stone said there had been a small fire at the house in May that was extinguished by a person who was there.