Friday the 13th fire damages three Bridgeport buildings

By Michael Comstock

Friday the 13th was a very unlucky day for many people living on the 3600 block of south Parnell Avenue, as an extra-alarm fire broke out at 12:30 p.m. that day. The fire damaged three buildings, according to Kathy DeCarro, owner of two of them.

One of those buildings houses Kathy De’s deli at 3642 S. Parnell Ave., and the other is a residential two-flat at 3644 S. Parnell, where the fire started. The fire “shot out two windows and set both buildings on each side of it on fire,” DeCarro said. “There are five families displaced.”

DeCarro said the fire was started by matches; Channel 7 news alleged a boy age four or five accidentally started the blaze. “One building had two adults and three children,” she said. “One had two children and one adult at home. Then there was the store.”

No people died, but three puppies who were kept in one of the apartments perished in the fire. Firefighters tried to save one dog they found, rushing it to a veterinarian, but none of the animals could be saved. The owner of the dogs was not available for comment. One man was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation after he unsuccessfully attempted to rescue the dogs.

DeCarro and her husband, Bobby, were so grateful for the fire fighters’ help that they let them take cold beverages and anything they wanted from the deli at no charge.

The DeCarros bought the two buildings ten months ago. Kathy DeCarro vowed they will rebuild. “As soon as the inspector comes and the insurance adjuster and everybody lets me know what I’m supposed to be doing, I plan on rebuilding as soon as possible,” she said.