Tenant Arrested Trying To Enter Burning Building In Vernon

VERNON, CT — One family was displaced and a tenant was arrested at a fire at an apartment building in Vernon Thursday night.

The fire broke at at 11:30 p.m. at 40 Thomas St., the last building at the dead end road that sits just below Henry Park. It contains six apartments, officials said.

Fire Marshal Dan Wasilewski said the fire began in a rear bedroom of Unit 6 and the flames extended to the second floor ceiling and the roof.

All occupants were able to safely exit the building. The fire was quickly brought under control and was prevented from spreading throughout the other apartments, officials said.

Police said that one resident attempted to go back into the building when flames were still visible. The resident was arrested at the scene and charged with interfering with police, authorities said.

Wasilewski said Unit 6 was deemed uninhabitable. He said officials were hopeful that tenants in the other units could be back in the building for the weekend.

The cause was still being investigated Friday, Wasilewski said.