Fire Displaces Family In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — Support is pouring in for a family of six that was displaced from their home after a fire Sunday night in Stratford. The fire, which displaced two adults and four children, occurred on Yarwood Street, according to the American Red Cross. Stephanie Philips launched a fundraiser on Facebook in support of the family.

“Jeanine Rudd grew up in Stratford, and she and her family finally were able to buy their first home, but tonight 1-27-2019 it was destroyed by a fire that started in the attic walls,” Philips wrote in a post on Facebook. “They were downstairs in the main floor, heard a sound and started smelling smoke. They did all the right things as they grab the kids and fled as quickly as possible and called 911. They are safe. However, they need help the cover the basic items until the insurance kicks in. $5, $10, etc can add up fast for food, gas, toiletries, and a change of clothes. There are four kids, ages 16yr Girl, 13yr boy, 9yr girl, and a 2 yr old.”

Firefighters responded to the home just before 9 p.m. on the report of a fire in the ceiling. Fire crews arrived to find fire within a crawl space on the second-floor and attic of the three-bedroom cape-style home, according to Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal Brian Lampart.

“Under the command of Assistant Chief Reitmeyer, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the attic area, however; the remainder of the home was damaged by smoke from the fire and water from the suppression activities,” Lampart wrote in a press release. “The cause of the fire was investigated by the Stratford Fire Marshal’s Office and was determined to be related to a failure of an exhaust fan located in the first floor bathroom, the failure of the fan caused the fire to travel between floors for several minutes before being noticed by the homeowner.”

No injuries were reported from the fire. Assistance for station coverage was provided by both Bridgeport and Milford Fire Departments while Stratford worked the fire, according to Lampart.

The American Red Cross is also providing assistance to the family.

“The Red Cross is also providing comfort kits containing personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant; shaving supplies and other items a resident might not have been able to gather in the rush to escape the fire,” according to a press release. “In addition, a recovery envelope containing information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more was provided.”

Click here to view the fundraiser on Facebook.