A massive fire in Newark, New Jersey destroyed five homes, and authorities are investigating whether squatters in a vacant house caused the blaze. The Irvington and Newark Fire Department responded to the three-alarm fire on Montgomery Ave at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to ABC 7.

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A thick plume of smoke was visible from as far as 20 miles from the site of the fire.​

Flames quickly spread from the vacant home to nearby houses, trees, a utility pole, and a car, creating a dense smoke cloud visible 20 miles away. Firefighters worked to control the fire, but faced challenges like low water pressure and strong winds. They eventually got the fire under control just before 7 p.m.

While no serious injuries were reported, an elderly man was taken to the hospital for unrelated health issues. The fire left 27 adults and four children homeless, as the blaze destroyed all five homes.

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Fire officials are looking into whether squatters occupying the vacant home may have been responsible for starting the massive blaze.

Authorities are now looking into reports that squatters may have been living in the abandoned home where the fire started. A resident mentioned that complaints had been previously filed about squatters occupying the house.

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The fire ripped through a line of homes in Newark, forcing dozens of residents to evacuate.

One resident, Nallande Jean, recounted grabbing her infant son and fleeing as the fire spread. Now, displaced families are receiving assistance from the Red Cross as they figure out how to rebuild after losing their homes.