By JOHN BURGESON Staff writer
Article Last Updated: 09/04/2008 04:24:01 PM EDT
BRIDGEPORT -- A two-alarm fire at a fully-occupied, six-family home at 515 Gregory St. early Thursday left at least 15 people homeless.
No one, however, was injured, according to fire officials.
Fire Capt. Luis Rivera said the blaze apparently began on a second-floor enclosed porch and quickly spread to the third-floor porch and the entire attic. The department's arson investigation team was sent to the scene, as well as arson investigators from the state Fire Marshal's office. However, Rivers said the cause of the fire in the initial stage of the investigation remains undetermined.
The Fire Department's Battalion 1 responded to the scene with Engines 1, 3, 4 and 7, Ladders 7 and 11, and Rescue 5.
The Red Cross arranged temporary accommodations for 10 of the house's displaced residents in a hotel and gave them money for food and clothing. The others found housing with neighbors, friends and relatives.
A few of the homeless returned to the structure to collect their valuables.
The first 911 call reporting the blaze was received at about 1 a.m., and the fire was declared under control within an hour. Most of the firefighters had left by 5 a.m.
In addition to the damage to the building's attic and the rear porches, there was smoke and water damage throughout, fire officials said.