An early Tuesday morning structure fire which left one Bridgeport family homeless is still under investigation, according to Bridgeport Fire Lt. Keith Linger.

 

Bridgeport, Anmoore, Stonewood and Nutter Fort fire departments responded to the Broadway Avenue fire at about 3 a.m. Tuesday and battled the blaze for about two and a half hours. According to Bridgeport Fire Captain Scott Wilburn, the fire started in the second story of the family home. The entire second story burned and the home was declared a total loss. Six individuals escaped the fire and none were transported to the hospital. According to a neighbor, one family member did experience minor burns. None of the family’s clothing or belongings were salvaged and two family pets were lost to the fire. 

 

Tuesday morning, Wilburn said initial findings indicated that the cause was an electrical short. It is still believed that the fire was electrical in nature, but Linger said he still investigating and completing paperwork related to the incident.

 

Because so much of the home was lost to the blaze, including the entire second floor, investigation is challenging, Linger explained.

 

“When you go in and it’s knocked down, but there’s a nice V-pattern, it’s pretty cut and dry, but when there is extensive damage and not much left – as in this case – it makes it hard to determine a cause.”

 

Linger said he may have additional information as early as this afternoon.

 

Immediately following Tuesday morning's fire, Coordinator of Emergency Services Laura Pysz contacted the American Red Cross to arrange for temporary housing for the family. Those family members are also in need of clothing and household items. Community members can donate items at Bridgeport Fire Department. It is requested that clothing in only the following sizes be included in donations:

 

Men’s medium-large shirts/pants 

Men’s 2X and 3X shirts and basketball-type shorts for 14-year-old boy

Men’s 3X and 4X shirts and size 44-46 pants/shorts

Women’s 2X and 3X items of clothing

 

A Web site has also been established to financially assist the Nelson family - Roland and Pat Nelson, Kelli Nelson Sekela, Christian "CJ" Nelson, Mike Baker and Peggy Campell. Visit that site HERE. 

 

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