Firefighters battle Bridgeport blaze

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- Several people have been forced out of their Bridgeport home Tuesday night after an afternoon fire. It looks like that fire may have been started accidentally by a man who was working on the roof.

This all started when the husband of the landlord says the weather last week tore up some shingles and firefighters today say the weather posed the biggest challenge in fighting the fire.

Flames soared through a Bridgeport roof, a roof being repaired at 69 Ives Court.

"I was trying to fix it with the torch," said Edgar Benavidez.

Benavidez says he thought he was done when he saw smoke and then he saw the flames coming from a birds nest. Grabbing what he could, he tried to smother the fire.

"I put my jacket inside to asphyxiate the fire so it wouldn't get no air, but it was getting air. I called the fire department," said Benavidez.

Armed with hoses, crews put it out within minutes but firefighters say the weather posed the biggest challenge.

"Between the apparatus freezing up, hose lines freezing up and just the temperature in general for the guys. Once they get all soakin' wet, it's a hassle," said Asst. Chief Robert Morton.

It's also a hassle for tennants who don't have a place to go Tuesday night and for Benavidez who burnt his hands trying to keep it from spreading.

"The fire department offered to take me to the hospital, but I am fine," said Benavidez.

Benavidez' wife is the landlord.

The American Red Cross was on scene helping the diplaced folks.