Investigation Into Vernon Tenement Fire Ongoing

VERNON, CT — It could take several days to determine the exact cause of a fire that destroyed two multi-family homes in Vernon earlier this week, the town's fire marshal said Wednesday.

Investigators began sifting through the charred rubble at 80-82 Union St. and 33 Ward St. in the Rockville section of town Tuesday morning, about 14 hours after the blaze broke out.

Vernon Fire Marshal Daniel Wasilewski said it is a meticulous process, while adding that authorities want to get it right. He said he has been working with Vernon police to investigate the fire.

Facebook detectives have been proclaiming a number of causes from a tossed cigarette to plain old age. The building at 80-82 Union St. dates back to the 1800s.

The initial call came in at 5:08 p.m. Monday at 80-82 Union St. The tenement was engulfed in heavy smoke when firefighters arrived and some residents had to be rescued with ladders.

The building sits at the corner of Union and Ward streets and the fire spread to 330 Ward St., located behind the Union Street building.

Firefighters battled the blaze well into the night.

In all, 15 people were displaced from 80-82 Union St., a large multi-family building that dates back to the 1800s, according to Wasilewski. He said the would likely be considered a total loss.

Another 10 people were displaced from 33 Ward St., he added.