Hours After Battling Blaze, Vernon Firefighters Replace Gifts

VERNON, CT — Vernon firefighters were able to give four families holiday gifts this week just a day after they were displaced by a harrowing fire at a Union Street apartment building.

Firefighters were actually sorting gifts for their annual Toys for Tikes program when the call for the fire came in late Sunday morning.

The fire broke out at 10:45 a.m. An alarm at 30 Union Street and several 911 calls alerted authorities to a problem, officials said. When police and firefighters arrived, they found heavy flames coming from windows on the east side of the building and several people were hanging from windows in an effort to escape the flames, Vernon Assistant Fire Chief Robert Babcock said.
Firefighters and Vernon Police quickly raised ground ladders to reach the residents and escorted them to safety.

A ladder truck was able to get to the building from an adjacent lot.

Seven people were injured in the fire and were treated for smoke inhalation across Union Street at Rockville General Hospital.

Two of the injured were transferred to Bridgeport Hospital for further treatment, officials said.

In the aftermath, local firefighters turned their efforts to trying to help the children who were displaced.

"Around 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, the Vernon Fire Department called and asked if we could meet up," said Kevin Levesque. He, along with his girlfriend Toni Marossie, and 7-month-old
daughter Bayley Levesque, lost their apartment and all of their possessions in he fire.

"They gave us a huge bag of presents for the baby," he continued. "It was greatly appreciated."

Levesque said his family had lived at 26 Union Street for just less than a year. The three are staying with friends now but will soon begin looking for a new place to live.

"We’ve been getting help from a lot of people," he said.

The American Red Cross provided immediate assistance and the Cornerstone Foundation of Vernon has opened its food pantry, clothing bank and shelter to people affected by the fire. It is also collecting money and gift cards for the fire victims.

"Being there when people need help is what we're all about," Babcock said. "We were glad that we could help everyone in the building the day of the fire, and now we’re glad to do what we can to brighten the holidays for the children whose families lost everything."

The annual Toys for Tikes program has served more Vernon families this year, likely because of the pandemic, said Diane Carpenter, the Vernon Fire Department's Secretary and Toys for Tikes Coordinator. "We delivered toys to approximately 200 families and 400 kids. It was huge compared to last year. So many people have lost their jobs."

The fire department worked hard to get the word out about the program so that people who needed a hand with gifts could be served. The extra publicity also resulted in many more gifts being donated so that firefighters could meet the need.

"As usual, Vernon businesses were extremely generous," Carpenter said. "Many individuals made sizable donations too. Vernon residents can always be counted on to help their neighbors."