Bridgeport, Connecticut Mayor Bill Finch blamed hoarding for a fire that critically injured a 2-year-old child and her mother and also sent the father to the hospital.
Finch said material was fuel for the apartment fire on Sunday.
"There were literally tons of fuel in this apartment that should not have been there. This should not have happened," Finch said. "This fire was preventable if our society could address the disease of hoarding."
Firefighters were hampered by piles of clothing stacked nearly to the ceiling and narrow aisles through which firefighters could not fit, the Connecticut Post reports, citing Deputy Fire Chief Robert Petrucelli.
The fire began in a second-floor, corner apartment at 223 Washington Ave. around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. Residents were coming down a fire escape and out the front door when crews arrived.
Firefighters found resident Marisol Estrada, 43, and her 2-year-old daughter Allianna, in a bedroom beneath piles of clothing. Firefighters carried them to safety through a window.
Estrada and her husband, building superintendent Jose Roman, 53, were in critical condition at Bridgeport Hospital with burns and smoke inhalation. Jose's condition has been upgraded to good; Allianna was taken to Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston in critical condition.
Firefighters found Jose Roman as he was trying to get back inside. He told firefighters that his daughter and her mother were still inside. The couple's two other children were not home when the fire broke out.
"Jose was going crazy trying to get them. He was frantic, trying to get them, climbing up the wall and stuff," Donna Mantel said.
Firefighters faced heavy fire on the second floor and had to crawl to reach the mother and daughter.
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"They faced severe fire conditions with flames rolling on the ceiling above them," Petruelli said.
Fire lieutenants Fran McNellis and Jim Buck and Firefighter Dave Diaz, Jim Doolan, Keith Muratori and Timothy Gies were able to locate the pair inside. Estrada was unconscious and covering her child, trying to protect her, officials said.
Crews rescued the mother and daughter and Alianna was flown to Shriners Hospital from Bridgeport Hospital, where she is listed in critical condition.
Both of her parents were taken to Bridgeport Hospital in critical condition. Jose has since been upgraded to good condition and Estrada's condition hasn't changed. .
A fourth person was treated at an area hospital and released. Crews also helped two elderly residents out of their apartment.
Finch expressed his sympathies for the people affected in the blaze.
“This is a tragic occurrence, and the fact that it has left a 2-year-old child in critical condition is heart wrenching," Finch said. "I’m asking families across our city to join me and my family in praying for those who were injured and displaced by this unfortunate event.”
The fire was contained to one apartment and is under investigation.
