Overnight Blaze Damages Stratford Home After Exhaust Fan Fails

A family and its four dogs escaped a fire early Tuesday that caused extensive damage to their Stratford home.

Stratford firefighters were called to 266 Brooklawn Road about 3 a.m. Tuesday, Stratford fire marshal Brian Lampart said in an email to media.

"Units arrived to find a smoke condition and a fire that had self vented through the exterior wall outside the second floor bathroom," Lampart said.

Investigation later determined that the fire was sparked when an exhaust fan in the second floor bathroom failed, he said.

The family and its four dogs escaped without injury but fire officials estimate the damage, which was contained to the bathroom and exterior wall structures, in excess of $30,000, Lampart said.

The fire marshal said occupants were cleared to inhabit the residence without the use of the second floor bathroom and second floor bedroom.