Family members grieve and demand answers following fatal Bridgeport apartment fire
Nicole Little tells News 12 Connecticut her grandfather died from injuries suffered in the fire and her grandmother was critically injured.
The Bridgeport community came together Saturday, following Friday's fatal fire at Success Village Complex.
Nicole Little tells News 12 Connecticut her grandfather died from injuries suffered in the fire and her grandmother was critically injured.
On Friday, city officials confirmed several people were critically injured and one person died, but their identity was not released.
Little says her grandparents were very generous.
"Grandpa would give you the shirt off his back," Little said. "Grandma would cook for anybody and everybody who walked through the door."
Bridgeport City Council Member Maria Pereira said although there are fire escapes on the Stratford side of Success Village, there are none on the Bridgeport side of the complex where the fire happened.
Pereira said when Success Village was built in the 1940s, Stratford regulations required fire escapes, but Bridgeport regulations did not.
“That's clearly a reflection of what the zoning regulations were in the 40s when they were built,” she said.
Pereira said she wants to know more about what could be done going forward when it comes to safety measures that impact her constituents.
"The builders only had to comply with the regulations that were in place. Changing those regulations today will not force anybody to add fire escapes because you only have to follow the regulations that were in place at the time of the build," Pereira added.
Little said things need to change.
"I think if there were fire escapes, or at least ladders, that they would still be here today," she said. "I'm hoping something comes out of this about fire safety."
Community members said it is important to stay united during this type of tragedy.
"We’re just pouring out love and pouring out support in every way that we can,” said Jazmarie Melendez.
"We just want to express our condolences to the family for the tragic loss here,” said John Gomes.
Success Association co-president Jose Sandoz said he is grateful for those who stepped up to help during the fire.
"Red Cross, they were awesome and the fire department,” he said.
Sandoz said the community is facing a wide range of problems beyond the fire. He said Success is "simply not equipped to give the families impacted by it the help they need."
"I'm so choked up that this is going on -- but we also need a lot of help. The situation that's going on in Success is ridiculous. We need help," he said.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help the family of the victim.
