STRATFORD – A neighbor helped an elderly couple out of their burning home Wednesday night before rescue personnel could arrived on the scene.
At 7 p.m. a neighbor reported a fire involving the exterior of an attached garage of a house located at 178 Porter Street.
En route to the fire, responding units were advised by 911 that an elderly couple was inside the home and unable to self-evacuate.
The Stratford Fire Department found heavy smoke issuing from the garage and attic of the home upon arrival, but the elderly couple was assisted out of the structure by a neighbor prior to arrival of the fire department.
The fire was under control at just after 8 p.m. by total of 27 firefighters and the scene cleared just after 9 p.m.
Due to the severity of the damage, the house has been declared uninhabitable by Stratford building officials until repairs can be completed to the roof and electrical system of the structure.
Both the Bridgeport and Milford fire departments each sent an engine to Stratford Fire Headquarters to cover the town while Stratford apparatus were engaged.
The Stratford Fire Marshal investigators determined that a faulty garage exterior light fixture was the cause of the fire.
No injuries were reported.
