Video courtesy of Steve Krauchick, Doing It Local. From Bill Kaempffer, public safety spokesman:
Firefighters battled a major structure fire Sunday evening on Bershire Avenue. Firefighters responded to 193 Berkshire Ave. and found the building engulfed in flames that threatened two neighboring homes.
“As a community, we always pull together, and we’ll work to support these families in every way we can,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “It is particularly hard when events like this happen near the holidays. To our firefighters, I want to say another ‘thank you.’ Tonight could have been much, much worse and I know you without hesitation risk your own lives to protect the kids and families of Bridgeport.”
The Fire Department immediately called in an additional fire engine to help protect neighboring homes.
“Firefighters encountered heavy fire volume in the primary house and took immediate action to protect the two exposures,” said Deputy Fire Chief James Grace. “Firefighters did an outstanding job preventing the fire from spreading to additional, occupied houses.”
The vacant house where the fire apparently started was destroyed. The house was constructed with asphalt shingles, which fueled the blaze and create thick and heavy smoke in the area.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The homes on either side sustained melted siding from the intense heat but no structural damage. The Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.
