The blaze that ravaged 46 and 48 Willow St. on the city's East Side was apparently caused by an electrical problem, according to fire officials.

A mattress was set on fire by a non-grounded wire that overheated, said Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Eleander.

The fire was reported about 8:40 a.m. and brought under control at 9:05 a.m., he said. Firefighters stayed on the scene until 10:58 a.m.

A bright note was the rescue of a black-and-white kitten that initially was feared lost in the blaze.

Tracy Hunter, who had just acquired the cat she named Princess and called her "second baby," was cheerful despite the loss of her apartment and all the Christmas presents for her 8-year-old daughter, Dayvonna.

They were among the three residents displaced from the building's second-floor unit. The first floor was vacant.

"Thanks to Capt. Richard Nash of the Bridgeport Fire Department, Princess was retrieved from a second-floor window ledge and placed safely in the arms of her anxious owner," Carol Banner, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County chapter, said in a statement.

The Red Cross dispatched help for those displaced from their apartments.

Ramon Jimenez, director of response for the Red Cross chapter, said the agency's disaster teams have responded to seven fires this month. Of that number, 10 families — a total of 18 adults and 12 children — have had immediate needs for lodging, clothing and groceries met by the Red Cross.

He saluted the volunteers who work on the teams.

"They are on call day and night. And we are thankful for the donations from area residents to our chapter. It is their generosity that enables us to aid those in need," Jiminez said.

To donate to the displaced family or volunteer with the Red Cross, call 1-800-319-9935.