Eighteen people were displaced from their homes Sunday in Jersey City by a fire that erupted at the 900 block of West Side Avenue.

The Red Cross says it is helping 18 people from five families with emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food and clothing.

City officials say all three buildings (916, 916A and 918) were safely evacuated. No injuries to occupants or firefighters were reported.

Firefighters believe the fire sparked outside of the three connected homes and continued to spread inside.

Initial reports say a cigarette disposed improperly outside may be the cause of the fire, but the exact cause is still under investigation.