Picture Vernon: Anniversary Of The Great Church Fire

VERNON, CT — Jan. 23, 1965 was a bitter Cold day and a day and the day on which one of the most spectacular church fires in north central Connecticut took place.

The latest installment of the Picture Vernon series takes us back to that day.

The Congregational church in the center of Vernon caught fire and Tolland firefighters responded to assist the Vernon and Rockville fire departments.

Pictured is the Tolland former Tank 40, a converted 1947 Ford oil truck that had a pump enclosed on its rear with firefighters from all three departments.

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: