Vernon Mobile Home Sits In Ruins As Cause Of Fatal Fire Investigated

VERNON, CT — What is left of a mobile home in Vernon sat in ruins Monday morning while investigators tried to determine just how a fire that took the life of a 61-year-old resident started.

Vernon Fire Marshal Dan Wasilewski said the cause is still under investigation.

The fire broke out Sunday at 2:37 a.m., authorities said.

When firefighters arrived, they found the mobile home at 10 Middle Terrace fully engulfed in flames. The fire caused extensive damage to the mobile home and damaged neighboring adjacent mobile homes. Melted siding could be seen Monday morning on both abutting units.

During search and rescue operations, the resident of 10 Middle Terrace, 61-year-old Teresa Garnett, age 61, was found dead inside the home, authorities said.

No one else was injuried and the two other units remained "habitable," Wasilewski said.

The investigation is being led by Wasilewski, the Vernon Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosive Investigation Unit. Anyone with information about the incident can contact Detective Mike Patrizz at 860-872-9126.