Displaced residents in East Orange say a major fire that destroyed an abandoned home could have been avoided.

Four homes on Amherst Street caught fire Wednesday morning, according to authorities. People lived in three of them, while the fourth was abandoned. The residents who were displaced say that the entire situation wouldn't have happened if the city had listened to their concerns about the abandoned property.

“Thank God everyone got out. But it’s not right ... it didn’t have to happen,” says displaced resident Mia Clark.

Clark, her daughter and two grandchildren were forced out in the middle of the night when the abandoned home two doors down caught fire and the flames spread to theirs.

“I have nothing. What I have on is what someone brought me,” Clark says.

Clark and other residents say that they have been complaining to the city about the abandoned home for years. That home collapsed due to the fire.

“I complained, landlord complained, other neighbors complained. It makes no sense,” says Clark.

East Orange Mayor Ted Green admits that East Orange has a problem with squatters trying to keep warm in city-owned abandoned homes. Those who were displaced suspect that the fire was sparked by a squatter trying to stay warm.

David Thornton bought his home last month. He says he hopes that a lesson is learned.

The cause of the fire was not immediately released.

The Red Cross is assisting 12 people in four families. Clark and her family are the only renters involved. The others displaced own their homes and are working with their insurance companies.

The mayor’s office released a statement saying that the city's top priority is helping the displaced families, and that they are working with other agencies to ensure all are safe, warm and receiving the assistance they need.