Danbury Fire Chief Geoff Herald reported a fire at 12:30 a.m. Friday that put 14 people on the street.

No injuries were reported, and the Danbury Fire Marshals Office is investigating the fire. It is not considered suspicious yet, Herald said.

The house was empty Friday morning, and the debris out back was frozen to the ground by the cold weather. The American Red Cross is assisting the people from the house who needed to be relocated.

Deputy Fire Marshal James Russell said he has conflicting information about how the fire started, and he will revisit the house Friday. He said it wasn't arson and it wasn't deliberate, and he is still working out exactly what happened.

Herald said the smoke detectors worked in the apartment, and they alerted the residents to the danger.

Herald said the fire was widespread before the department arrived. Engines 21, 22, 23, 24, the truck company and Volunteer Squad 7 all responded. Once the firefighters arrived, the damage was halted to what was already destroyed. The Danbury Police Department also helped with traffic and security.

Herald said the home's electrical system was destroyed and no one can live there until it is renovated. The rear of the building was heavily damaged.

Fire cause and origin under investigation by Deputy Fire Marshal Russell.  It is not considered suspicious at this time.

The American Red Cross is helping 14 people – 10 adults and four children – in five families from the Balmforth Avenue fire, according to Red Cross Spokesman Paul Shipman. The Red Cross is providing temporary lodging and financial assistance for emergency clothing and food needs. The Red Cross is also providing comfort kits, containing age and gender appropriate personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving supplies and other items a family might not have been able to gather in the rush to escape the fire.  Children's kits include a stuffed toy. 

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge, a gift made possible by generous donations and the work of volunteers.  For more information about the Red Cross and how you can help, visit www.ctredcross.org.