Picture Tolland: The TFD At The Vernon Center Church Fire

TOLLAND, CT — The latest installment of the Picture Tolland series takes us back to 1965 and a mutual aid mission in Vernon.

On Jan. 23, the Congregational church in the center of Vernon caught fire. Tolland firefighters responded to assist the Vernon and Rockville fire departments.

The former Tank 40, a converted 1947 Ford oil truck that had a pump enclosed on its rear, was used to fight the fire.

The fire broke out on a bitter cold day and night and much of the apparatus froze up due to the cold temperatures. Tank 40 continued to pump and also kept the firefighters' hands warm while battling the fire, because the pump was enclosed in a compartment, which kept it warm.

Here's another look: