At 7:13 pm on Monday evening, the Hope Police Dispatch received a call in reference to a fire at the former B & R Lumber Supply located at 422 East Avenue A, in Hope.

Upon the arrival of the Hope Fire Department, the back portion of the facility was engulfed in flames and they immediately went to work in an effort to prevent the spread of the fire. They were able to save the home on the West, adjacent to the lumber supply, as well as other structures in the area, but the B&R Building was a total loss.

According to the owner, Vic Massanelli, the facility, formerly known as Gunter Lumber Company, was opened by B & R Lumber Supply in 1966. They operated at that location as B & R Lumber Company until last year, when they moved to their current location at 2215 S Main, in Hope.

The cause of the fire is unkown at this time. The Hope Fire Department was assisted by Deann Fire Department, Perrytown Fire Department, Guernsey Volunteer Fire Department and the Hope Police Department. Pafford EMS was also on scene checking on the safety of the firefighters.