April 2001 brought one of the biggest fires in
Vernon Township history. Just before 6pm,
both Vernon departments were dispatched to a
fire alarm at the Plaza Bowling Lanes. While
en-route, units were advised that fire personnel
on scene reported a working fire. Prior to units
arriving, smoke could be seen from the
complex about a mile away. This was just the
beginning. Just after the first trucks arrived,
the fire had vented itself through the roof. It
had a huge head start on fire crews. A quick
interior attack was made, but officers and
personnel found it to be too dangerous to
continue inside. The blaze was hard to battle
due to the building having been remodeled a
few times in the past and false ceilings and
roofs allowed the fire to travel quickly. A
dozen departments along with EMS, Police
and Emergency Management responded.
Crews worked long into the night, using master
stream ground devices and aerial apparatus.
The fire was under control after midnight.
There were only a couple of, treat and
release, injuries during the incident. The
business was a total loss, estimated in the
millions. The cause, never suspicious, is still
something of a mystery to this day due to the
extensive damage.
Plaza Lanes Fire - April 2001
Plaza Lanes - April 2001 Photo Gallery
