An early morning house fire in Newark's lower Roseville Avenue sent about two dozen squatters running from a home that caught fire Sunday.
Newark Firefighters raced to 30 Bathgate Place to investigate several 911 calls reporting a house fire just before 6 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they observed several residents in the community screaming that a baby was trapped on the upper floors of a newly built three-story home.
Rescue crews swiftly made entry into the house, where they found several squatters -on every floor- hesitant to leave the structure after apparently staying there for months.
Crews beat down heavy fire that appeared to have started in the garage where about ten additional squatters resided. A search of the structure indicated no injured occupants, but some upset squatters reportedly attempted to hide in closets to avoid leaving the burning and smoke-filled building.
Residents on Bathgate said they are happy that there were no injuries but are finally relieved that the 'squatter issue' has come to an end. "Calls to the local officials for help have fallen on deaf ears," residents said.
Newark firefighters are credited with fast response and proper communications to get the squatters out of the house without a possible disaster.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.