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Christmas Fire Kills Five in Stamford; Two Survive

STAMFORD, Conn. — Tragedy struck Stamford early Christmas morning when a three-alarm fire burned down a house in the tony Shippan neighborhood, killing five people, including three children. Firefighters rescued two people from the blaze.

“There probably has not been a worse Christmas Day in the city of Stamford,” Mayor Michael Pavia said after meeting with Acting Fire Chief Antonio Conte and others at the scene.

The homeowner — Madonna Badger — survived the blaze as did a friend; both were treated at Stamford Hospital. But her three daughters and her parents were killed, police said.

“You never get used to it. I’ve been on this job 38 years, this is not an easy one,” Conte said as he began to tear up.

Neither Conte nor Pavia wanted to speculate about the cause of the 5 a.m. fire and said it was still being investigated. The single-family home in Shippan Point was secured by members of Stamford Fire & Rescue.

Neighbor Charles Mangano said he went outside when he saw the flames, heard a voice yell for help but there was nothing he could do. "The building was worse than anything you've ever seen," Mangano said. He said the occupants moved in recently, and extensive construction had taken place over the summer, but he did not know the family at all. 

On Dec. 7, 2010, Badger bought the 2,600-square-foot home at 2267 Shippan Ave., Connecticut Block Shopper said. She is a founder of Badger and Winters Group, a well-known cutting-edge advertising, designing and branding consulting firm in Manhattan, and has three children, her company’s website said. The house in the upscale, waterfront neighborhood, was built in the late 19th century.

Badger was one of the survivors and was in fair condition at Stamford Hospital, a representative from the hospital said. The name and condition of the second survivor, a male acquaintance of Badger's, was not known. 

The three children killed in the fire were Badger's daughters: a 10-year-old and twin 7-year-olds, Stamford Police said. Badger's parents, Southbury residents, also died in the fire, police said. Police did not release their names. 

It should take the fire marshals a couple of days to complete their investigation, Conte said.

Continue to check the Daily Stamford as more details become available. 

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