APNewsBreak: $5M settlement reached in suit over Christmas fire that killed 5 in Connecticut

A contractor blamed for starting a fire at a Connecticut home that killed three girls and two of their grandparents on Christmas morning in 2011 has agreed to settle a lawsuit by paying the children's father $5 million.

Court records obtained by The Associated Press show that the contractor, Michael Borcina, and his company settled Matthew Badger's lawsuit in Hartford Superior Court on Dec. 10. Badger's lawyer confirmed the settlement amount.

The fire in Stamford killed 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger, 9-year-old Lily Badger, and their maternal grandparents. The girl's mother and Borcina, who were dating at the time, both escaped.

Authorities said the fire began after Borcina left a bag of fireplace ashes in a mudroom.

A lawyer for Borcina didn't return a message Tuesday.