Vernon Firefighters Battle House Blaze In Raging Thunderstorm

VERNON, CT — A fire broke out at a home in the Rockville section of Vernon Wednesday morning during a raging thunderstorm.

The fire at 135 Union St. broke out at about 10:30 a.m. It's a two-family home constructed in 1900, according to town assessor records.

Heavy smoke blanketed the area and firefighters had to contend with flooded roads to get to the home and torrential downpours once there. Initial scanner reports said the house was hit by lighting, but that could not be confirmed at the scene or later in the day. The local fire marshal's office is invest8gating the cause.

Residents of the area were being evacuated as firefighters tried to get the blaze under control. Roads were blocked off. In all five people were displaced, police said.

Fire crews from Manchester, Tolland and Ellington were also called to the scene.