A fire in the 300 block of Connecticut Avenue turned deadly around 5 p.m. Monday when flames ripped through an East End condominium complex called Stratford Commons.

"A woman who was living in one of the units tragically lost her life," said Chief Lance Edwards, of the Bridgeport Fire Department.

Officials said that three other people were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, a total of four adults and four children were displaced.

The identity of the woman who died has not been released.

"It's always heartbreaking when somebody loses their life, but two days before Christmas, I can't imagine anything more tragic for this woman's family," Chief Edwards said.

Marianne Bacheldor, who also lives in the complex, said she was startled when firefighters banged on her door shouting, 'Fire, fire!"

"I was in my pajamas, and I couldn't believe it. I just picked up the two dogs and yelled, 'we gotta' get out of here,'" Bacheldor said.

The Red Cross is helping the people who were displaced.

The Bridgeport Fire Marshal, Connecticut State police and fire and the Explosion Investigation Unit are all assisting in the investigation.