Mechanical Failure In Older Vehicle Blamed For Car Fire In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Mechanical failure was blamed for a Tuesday night car fire at a strip joint in Vernon.

Vernon Fire Marshal Dan Wasilewski said the 25-year-old Chevrolet Monte Carlo had seen better days.

The fire broke out at about 7 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of Lucky's Cabaret at 65 Windsor Avenue. The fire was visible from several area businesses.

The fire department arrived at the scene and the incident was quickly brought under control.

No injuries were reported.

The parking lot is no stranger to mishaps. In October 2024, a pickup truck slammed head-on into the sign for Lucky's.

The crash took place at 1:49 p.m.

Police at the scene said the truck was being operated by someone who does not have a driver's license. The man pulled out of Terrace Drive and began accelerating. The truck suddenly veered off the road to the right, grazed a utility pole, ran over a traffic sign, became airborne as it hopped the curbing on a small traffic island and slammed head-on into the sign stanchion at Lucky's.

The man immediately climbed out of the truck as employees from neighboring businesses and neighbors rushed to help. The front bumper of the truck flew off and landed about 15 feet away.

The sign has still not been fully repaired.