It has taken DNB First Bank less than a year to reopen its branch in the borough after it was devastated by fire in June last year, writes Brian McCullough for the Daily Local News.

“We’re just extremely grateful for everyone involved in our move back into the borough, from the first responders who were there the night of the fire to the elected officials,” said DNB First’s CEO, Bill Hieb.

Hieb also noted in an interview on Monday with the Daily Local News, that the entire building has been completely restored in the process, adding that “between the elected officials and the community, we’re extremely pleased to be back in what we would consider to be the heartbeat of the borough.”

The fire broke out on June 15th after 9 p.m. as onlookers observed flames spreading along the roof line. With fifteen fire companies on-site and five more on standby, there were at least 147 first responders on the scene to battle the blaze. It took 16 engines and numerous rescue units, including an air unit and six squad utility units, nearly three hours to control and extinguish the flames that had by then caused “significant damage.”

To be able to continue serving its customers, DNB First opened a temporary branch across the street from the fire damaged building, while it moved the other operations housed at the Church Street property to alternate locations, said Hieb. He also added that eventually all of those and some additional operations will move back into the original location.

Once fully operational, Hieb pointed out that the newly restored branch will be home to just over 40 employees.

Read more about the branch reopening on the Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of DNB First here.