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At Least 40 Residents Displaced After Fire Destroys Four Bridgeport Houses

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- At least 40 people -- including over 25 children -- were left without a place to live after a gigantic fire burned through a block of Hanover Street in Bridgeport on Friday, the Red Cross said. 

Bridgeport firefighters continue to battle the blaze on Hanover Street on Friday.

Bridgeport firefighters continue to battle the blaze on Hanover Street on Friday.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
A burned out shell is all that remains of one house after the fire.

A burned out shell is all that remains of one house after the fire.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Crowds gather near the scene.

Crowds gather near the scene.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

Two houses were completely destroyed in the blaze on the city's West Side, and two others sustained heavy damage, said Bridgeport Fire Capt. Chris Martin. No injuries were reported. 

A strong wind helped the fire spread, Martin said Friday afternoon. Heavy ice and snow made it difficult for firefighters to gain footing as they battled the flames of the smoky fire, which was reported at about 12:45 p.m. 

As the huge fire burned, Bridgeport firefighters were forced to set up in a vacant lot and work from a defensive position to keep the inferno from spreading, fire officials said. It was difficult for firefighters to access the area, Martin said. 

Water was flooding the icy streets, with no place for it to drain as firefighters began to clear the area before 3 p.m. after most of the blaze had been extinguished. Firefighters continued to work on remaining "hot spots." 

Martin could could not confirm  the cause of fire, but construction workers inside one of the homes had trouble with a heater, which may have sparked the fire Friday.

Downed power lines in the area caused more difficulties in fighting the fire, but United Illuminating was able to respond quickly to shut down power in the area, Martin said.

Two of the homes were undergoing construction projects, Martin said. All that remained of one home was a chimney, another was a charred shell. 

A fifth house was evacuated for the safety of the residents, but they were cleared to go back in because of the cold. 

Mark Rozelle of the American Red Cross was working to find shelter for the displaced residents of the four homes, and wanted a Greater Bridgeport Transit bus brought to the scene to get people out of the cold.  

At least 40 people displaced -- over 25 children and a dozen adults, Rozelle said. The bus will act as a warming station as they work with the displaced families, he said. 

The scene on Hanover was a bit chaotic, with displaced residents, firefighters and spectators filling the area.  

The Connecticut Post reported that two police officers helped people get out of the burning homes and that one resident escaped with a pet dog, but Martin could not confirm those reports. 

 

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