BRIDGEPORT — Four firefighters suffered minor injuries and about a half-dozen people were left homeless when a Friday morning fire raced through the attic of a multi-family home on Harral Avenue.

Fire Lt. Paul Kochiss suffered a shoulder injury after a chunk of roofing from an overhang fell on him, said Assistant Chief Bruce Porzelt. Kochiss was treated at Bridgeport Hospital and released.

Firefighters Craig Morgan and Paul Lengyel both suffered minor injuries on stairs inside the home, but refused treatment at the scene, said Assistant Fire Chief Fred Haschak. They went off-duty and sought medical treatment on their own.

Lt. Lee Taylor had blisters on his ear from fire exposure, but stayed on-duty, Haschak said.

The fire erupted at 10:17 a.m. in a 2-story wood frame house at 100 Harral Ave. in a small attic space, before spreading into all the walls of the second floor, Porzelt said.

Christina Torres, her companion and 7-month-old infant were forced from the attic apartment. Tamela Palmer and 15-year-old Essence Best Collins lived on the second floor, the assistant chief said. The Southeastern Fairfield County chapter of the American Red Cross found temporary housing for the five displaced by the fire, he added.

Ralston Brown, also a resident and the home's owner, said Friday afternoon that he found alternative housing on his own.

The fire started in a crawl space above the attic apartment in the back of the house, Porzelt said.

At one point, intense fire forced more than 10 firefighters battling the flames on the third floor to evacuate the building, he said.

Porzelt said United Illuminating Co. shut off power to the home and 39 other nearby customers at 11:15 a.m. because the power lines were interfering with the placement of ladders.

Power was restored at 2 p.m., said Anita Steeves, a UI spokeswoman.

According to Porzelt, Torres said she saw no fire as she left the apartment, but then saw lots of flames when she looked backward from outside the house.

Fire inspectors are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Brown, a contractor, told fire officials he plans to repair the home himself, Porzelt said.

With 11 firetrucks dispatched to the scene to battle the blaze, Fairfield and Stratford fire departments provided backup coverage at several city fire stations, he added.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.