Six people were provided emergency shelter after a fire destroyed a home that they occupied in Newark's West Ward Thursday afternoon.
The fire broke out 173 Brookdale Avenue sending firefighters to the scene a little after noon according to authorities.
Arriving crews noticed smoke and fire coming from the second-floor of the house and began a full attack to extinguish the fire officials said.
Firefighters were able to knock down the fire then perform a search that yielded negative for injured or trapped occupants.
Three families that comprised of six residents were displaced.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office and Newark Fire Department's Arson Squads are handling the cause of the fire.