Members of the Bridgeport Fire Department were dispatched on Tuesday, December 16, 2003, for a fire in an occupied residence on Smith Street.
Upon arrival, just before 1 PM, the first due companies found fire showing from the second floor, B and C sides. All occupants had vacated the building, and an aggressive interior attack was started.
According to Battalion Chief James Grace, the fire started in a bedroom on the second floor of the structure, and had spread to the third floor and roof area. This posed many problems for the members operating on the top floor. The ceiling was made up of tongue and groove construction covered by sheet rock, which greatly delayed extinguishment in the attic area.
Five engine companies, two truck companies, one rescue, one battalion, and a safety officer responded to the fire.
