A woman has died and her young daughter remains in critical condition after a fire tore through their Bridgeport apartment early Sunday morning.

The fire sparked at around 12:30 a.m. at the apartment at 223 Washington Ave.

Firefighters say they found Marisol Estrada, 43, and her 2-year-old daughter, Allianna Ramon, in the front room of the apartment. Estrada was huddled over her daughter and both were unconscious. Firefighters say getting to the two victims was difficult, as the apartment was filled with piles of clothing and other items.

The victims are the wife and daughter of Jose Ramon, the building's superintendent. Ramon, 53, had already escaped and was trying to re-enter so he could rescue them when firefighters stopped him.

Allianna was airlifted to Shriners Hospital in Boston, where she remains in critical condition.