Eight minutes after receiving a 911 call reporting smoke emanating from a two-and-one-half story, two-family structure at 275-277 Peace Street at 4:48 a.m. on Aug. 28, a Stratford Fire Department officer of Engine 1 arrived at the scene. He found heavy smoke and fire issuing from the basement and attic windows of the structure.
Stratford Fire Deputy Chief of Operations Jon Gottfried reported that an aggressive attack was mounted against the fire, and a search for occupants concluded the structure was vacant. The fire was contained in “a little over an hour,” Gottfried said.
The fire had a significant head start since the house was vacant, according to Gottfried, and it spread quickly, partially due to the house’s “balloon frame” type of construction, which is known for having wood studs extending uninterrupted from the foundation to the attic. The structure sustained heavy damage, but Gottfried believes it may not be a total loss.
Twenty-eight firefighters responded along with Stratford EMS and police, according to Gottfried. Both the Bridgeport and Milford Fire Departments sent an engine company to Stratford Fire Headquarters to cover any subsequent incidents.
The Stratford Fire Marshal’s Office had not immediately determined the cause of the fire.