Victorian mansion fire kills five on Christmas

At least five people, including three children, were killed and two others injured when a devastating fire devoured a Victorian house at Stamford, putting a shadow on Christmas celebrations in the city.

The owner of the house, Madonna Badger, managed to escape along with a male acquaintance, but her three daughters--a 10-year-old and 7-year-old twins -- perished in the pre dawn blaze on Sunday in the house situated in Shippan Point, a wealthy neighbourhood that juts into Long Island Sound.

Badger’s parents, who were visiting for the holiday, also died in the fire, Police Sgt Paul Guzda said. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Neighbours said they awoke to the sound of screaming shortly before 5 am and rushed outside to help, but could only watch in horror as flames devoured the grand home and the shocked, injured survivors were led away from the house.

Firefighters knew there were other people in the house but could not get to them because the flames were too large and the heat too intense, said Acting Fire Chief Antonio.