Demolition Crew Razes Vernon Building Wrecked By Fire In March

VERNON, CT —Demolition work began Tuesday to raze a tenement in the Rockville section of Vernon ravaged by fire six months ago.

Permits were secured by the building's owners about a month ago, Vernon Fire Marshal Daniel Wasilewski said. A crew from Windsor-based Demolition Plus was at the site at Union and Ward streets at about 8 a.m. Tuesday to start the work. Wasilewski said the building would essentially be caved in with heavy equipment then picked up, piece-by-piece, and it will eventually be loaded into a truck.

Wasilewski said no formal plans for the property have been proposed after it becomes vacant.

A resident who lives across the street said it seemed like "a long time ago" when he was watching the blaze from his porch.

"I first thought my wife may have burned something in the kitchen," the resident said. "But then saw the smoke. I went outside and ... whoa."

The fire broke out on March 29.

The initial call came in at 5:08 that evening at the multi-family home located at 80-82 Union Street. When firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed in heavy smoke. Some residents had to be rescued with ladders.

With winds gusting at better than 30 mph, the fire spread to 330 Ward Street, located behind the tenement.

The fire was not fully under control until about 10:30 p.m. Two people were taken to nearby Rockville General Hospital for smoke inhalation. No one else was injured.

In all, 15 people were displaced from 80-82 Union St., a building that dates back to the 1800s.

Another 10 people were displaced from 33 Ward St.

Fire officials soon after declared the building a total loss.