BRIDGEPORT, CT — An early morning blaze on Goddard Avenue heavily damaged a building under construction in Bridgeport, marking the second time fire has struck the property, according to city officials.

The Bridgeport Fire Department responded just before 4 a.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of heavy smoke and flames coming from the site. City spokeswoman Shawnna White confirmed that the structure, which had been undergoing repairs from a previous fire, was unoccupied at the time.
“No one was injured in the incident, and the building was not occupied at the time,” White said in a statement.

Second Alarm Response

Firefighters arrived within minutes and quickly realized the extent of the flames required more support. A second alarm was transmitted to bring in more engines and ladder trucks to battle the blaze from multiple angles. Crews worked under challenging conditions for roughly 45 minutes before the fire was brought under control.

Fire Origin Remains Unclear

The Bridgeport Fire Marshal’s Office spent much of Tuesday at the scene examining debris and speaking with construction site managers and nearby residents. As of late afternoon, the exact cause and point of origin were still unknown, and no estimates on the damage cost had been released.

Neighbors in the Goddard Avenue area say the building has been under reconstruction for several months following fire damage last year. Some expressed concern about security at the site overnight.

Neighbors React

“It’s worrying to see this happening twice in the same place,” said Maria Santos, who lives nearby and woke up to the smell of smoke. “The firefighters did a great job, but it’s scary to think what might have happened if the fire spread to other homes.”

City officials did not immediately say whether arson is suspected but confirmed that the investigation will look at all possible factors, including whether building materials, electrical work, or unauthorized access could have played a role.

City Urges Caution Around Construction Zones

Bridgeport officials are reminding builders to take extra precautions as summer heat and dry conditions can increase the risk of construction site fires.
“We ask all contractors and project managers to double-check their fire prevention measures — especially if the site is recovering from prior damage,” White added.

Local building inspectors are expected to visit the site again this week to assess the structural integrity of what remains and determine whether the project can continue or if parts will need to be demolished and rebuilt.

Next Steps

The Fire Marshal’s Office is asking anyone with information or who may have seen suspicious activity around Goddard Avenue early Tuesday to come forward.
Residents can call the department’s tip line anonymously.

Meanwhile, the construction company overseeing the rebuild has not released a statement but said they are cooperating fully with investigators.

City officials plan to release an update on the investigation’s findings once they become available.

Originally reported by Michelle Tuccitto Sullo in Patch.