The fire, which fire officials said was possibly sparked by an electrical malfunction, ignited about 11:35 a.m. in a four-family, wood-frame home at 197 Center St. No one was home at the time of the fire.

The seven displaced residents, several of them young children, were helped find alternate accommodations by the Southeastern Fairfield County chapter of the American Red Cross.

One firefighter, Lt. David Simon of Engine Co. 12, was cut by glass and needed nine stitches, said Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Porzelt.

As firefighters approached the blaze from nearby North Avenue, "We could see the heavy brown and black smoke pouring into the sky," he said.

"It was supposed to be a bedroom fire," Porzelt said. "When we got there, the fire was blowing out of the windows, the back, the front and the second floor.

"Nobody was home, so the fire had some good headway," he said. "The 2-by-4s in the apartment were reduced to toothpicks."

The fire was brought under control just before noon, Porzelt said.

The owner of the home lives on Dewey Street, the assistant chief said, adding that the structure can be repaired.

The fire melted the vinyl siding from a neighboring home at 600 Harral Ave., according to Porzelt.

To contribute to the local chapter of the American Red Cross for fire victims' relief, call 576-1010 or send donations to the chapter at 158 Brooklawn Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604.

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