Demolition Work Under Way At Site Of Vernon Factory Fire

VERNON, CT — Demolition crews were on Brooklyn Street in Vernon Tuesday morning to begin dismantling what remained of a vintage factory that was ravaged by fire the previous day.

Meanwhile, Vernon Fire Marshal Dan Wasilewski said investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause.

Most of the street debris was cleared overnight, he said. The north side of the factory had already collapsed, leaving about half the old factory — near the Vernon Avenue intersection — in need of the wrecking ball, he said.

The blaze broke out at 1:56 a.m. at 114 Brooklyn St. The entire red brick structure was quickly engulfed in flames and firefighters from Vernon and several area towns began an operation that lasted well into Monday afternoon to get the fire out.

The heat from the flames was so intense that siding on several homes across the street melted. No injuries were reported, however.

According to the American Red Cross, four families — seven adults and four children — were displaced. Vernon officials said the families are in temporary shelters until the area is deemed safe.

The building has a colorful history, from making baseballs, to hosting a machine shop to storing furniture. See more about it here.