Stratford Star

Two hospitalized after Winter St. fire; smoking may be cause

Written by John Kovach
Sunday, 18 December 2011 09:38

UPDATED: SUNDAY, 10 A.M.: A fire that caused heavy damage to a Winter Street residence Sunday morning and sent two people to the hospital appears to have been caused by smoking in bed.

Fire Marshal Brian Lampart said one woman and one man were transported to Bridgeport Hospital to be checked for smoke inhalation.

A preliminary investigation, Lampart said, indicated that the fire was caused by someone smoking in bed.

Occupants of the house attempted to extinguish the fire themselves before calling 911, Lampart said.

Such an action is "never" recommended, he added.

The fire, called in about 6:30 a.m., had burned through the back of the house and was visible as firefighters arrived, Assistant Chief Tim Brennan said at the scene.

All of Stratford's on-duty firefighters responded, Brennan said, with Bridgeport and Milford covering Stratford's fire stations.

Brennan said firefighters knocked down the fire in 10 minutes.

"They did a very, very good job," Brennan said.

There were differing reports at the scene regarding how many people were inside the ranch-style house when the fire started, ranging from seven to "12 to 15."

Neighbors, some draped in quilts, walked down Broadbridge Avenue to Winter Street as word of the fire spread.

A rear corner of the house was heavily burned, where Brennan said the blaze had "self-ventilated."

Lampart said there was heavy damage inside the house. He said a cause had not yet been determined because places were still smoldering. It is believed to have started in a rear bedroom, he said, which is where the fire had burned through the outside walls.

More details will be posted as they become available.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites