Fatal Shippan Fire Lawsuit Settlement Reached

STAMFORD, CT — A settlement between the estate of the Badger children and the City of Stamford has been reached three weeks before the case was set to go to trial. The Christmas day fire in 2011 claimed the lives of three children and two adults.

The settlement is for an undisclosed amount plus a $250,000 donation for a scholarship fund in the name of girls Lily, Sarah and Grace Badger who were killed in the fire, according to a joint statement released by the City of Stamford and Campbell Badger, the administrator of the estate for the three girls killed in the blaze.

"The parties consider the settlement to be fair. The claims were resolved without reflecting any liability or fault on the part of the defendants," the parties said in a statement.

Matthew Badger, the father of the children brought the lawsuit against the city and contractors involved in renovating the home. The whirlwind case included allegations that city officials mishandled inspections and didn't preserve fire evidence correctly. To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.

The city decided to have the building demolished two days after the fire and material was removed a few days later, according to the lawsuit. It made it impossible for private or insurance investigators to take a look at the evidence.

"The City is sympathetic to the tremendous losses suffered by the Badger family," the parties said in the statement. "Understanding the family's concern that the demolition of the house prevented them from being able to conduct their own investigation of the cause of the fire, the City has agreed to address the circumstances under which a fire ravaged home can be demolished."

The settlement ends without reflecting liability or fault on the part of city defendants.

A trial was scheduled and evidence was going to be presented in late May.

Mother Madonna Badger was home with boyfriend and home contractor Michael Borcina when the fire occurred. At first Borcina said he placed ashes in the mudroom that were believed to have sparked the fire, but he later changed his store and said Madonna Badger was the one to dispose of the ashes. Madonna Badger's parents were also killed in the blaze.

Matthew Badger died in February and his brother S. Campbell Badger became administrator of the estate.

Settlements of more than $8 million combined have been reached with contractors involved in the renovation.

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