BRIDGEPORT — A family of four was forced from their Cape Cod-style home in the North End early Monday morning by an electrical fire that swept through the second floor and attic, causing an estimated $35,000 in damage.

It was the fifth fire in the city in 10 days.

Two adults, Mivael Sauza, 38, and Anna Sauza, age unavailable; and two teenagers, Felipe Sauza, 16, and Lucas Sauza, 14, needed vouchers for food and clothing but found alternative housing, fire and American Red Cross officials said.

LynMcCarthy, development director for the Southeastern Fairfield County chapter of the American Red Cross, said Monday's blaze has stretched the agency's disaster-relief budget to the limit, and officials were appealing for donations.

The fire broke out in the family's rented second-floor apartment at 674-676 Burnsford Ave. shortly after midnight, Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Porzelt said. Firefighters had it under control by 12:40 a.m., he said.

The building is apparently a two-family home, Porzelt added.

The family fled the building when they heard a noise in their apartment at 12:09 a.m. and saw fire, according to the assistant chief.

"They said they heard a loud pop," he said, adding that a wire junction box appears to be the source of the blaze.

Firefighters pulled open the roof and flames 4 to 5 feet high shot out, he said.

The fire had spread into all the second-floor walls, Porzelt said.

He estimated the damage at $35,000, but said the home was fixable.

The building is owned by Marcia Torrao, age and address unavailable, Porzelt noted.

The fire follows a two-alarm blaze in Coachlight condominiums on Vincellette Street last Monday that damaged or destroyed 19 units and left more than 40 people temporarily homeless.

The cost to the Red Cross for assistance in that fire reached $18,000 from an estimated $16,000 last week, because of victims needing extensions on hotel stays, McCarthy said.

The chapter has appealed to the national organization for aid.

Donations can be made to the American Red Cross chapter by calling 576-1010.

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