By John Christoffersen
The Associated Press Writer
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Fire engulfed three homes Friday, causing the floors in at least one to collapse. Three people were found dead in the rubble, authorities said.
Four other people were injured, and fire officials were searching for one person believed to live in one building’s basement who may be missing.
A man, a woman and their 1-year-old child were found dead in a building where the top two floors of a three-story building had collapsed, said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Petrucelli.
“All three were huddled together in the collapsed rubble,” Petrucelli said.
A neighbor reported that the father had helped two boys escape the building before he died.
Firefighters received reports that another person who lived in the building was unaccounted for, and they were pumping six feet of water from the basement, Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Martin said.
Neighbor Iola Tuft said the fire was so hot she could feel it across the street.
“I could see the flames going from the side of the house into the next house,” she said. “It was really bad.”
John Cappiello, a spokesman at Bridgeport Hospital, said an adult had been treated and released for smoke inhalation. He said another adult and two boys had been admitted for treatment of smoke inhalation and were in fair condition Friday morning.
A firefighter was also hospitalized with a broken leg, Martin said.
Neighbor Edgar Mambreno said the people killed were hardworking immigrants from Mexico who used to live in his house, but moved a few years ago when their family grew.
“They were good people,” he said.