BRIDGEPORT — Electricity likely started the fire early Tuesday that heavily damaged the interior of the Wood Avenue Market near Iranistan Avenue.

"It started very low on the floor," near two outlets powering numerous electrical devices, including the store's display lights, the cash register and a fax machine, said Fire Inspector Nick Novia, who is investigating.

"There was a ton of electrical [equipment] going to one box," he said.

Although the blaze is still under investigation, he said, "There was no sign of arson."

He estimated the damage at nearly $100,000.

Only 20 percent of the inside of the building was damaged, although the store's merchandise and furniture were ruined, said provisional Assistant Fire Chief William Haug.

"Structurally, damage was moderate," he said.

Later Tuesday, the smell of burnt plastic and wood hung in the air, while charred food and candy was scattered along the sidewalk in front of the corner market at Iranistan and Wood avenues.

Four hours after firefighters extinguished the last flames that gutted the Wood Avenue Market, three kids from the neighborhood stood on the corner just beyond the yellow tape cordoning off the fire scene.

"I hope they don't go out of business," said Brandon Jackson, 10.

Earl Buddoo, 16, surveyed the damage and expressed doubts about the future of the neighborhood store as friends of the owner helped to clean up and try to salvage what they could.

"They could always fix it up," said Joseph Alicea, 11.

The youths said the fire started shortly after midnight and firefighters were there hosing down the building until 5 a.m.

Fire officials said early Tuesday the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Earl lives right across the street from the store that was a neighborhood fixture.

One of the men cleaning up paused from the task to say the owner, his friend, had called and asked for help with the cleanup. So about seven of them turned out. The man declined to give his name and said the owner wasn't around.

As the men went back to cleaning up, a car pulled up to the corner and Joseph yelled at the driver, a man he apparently knew, "No egg and cheese for you!"