Two abandoned homes in Lakewood were severely damaged in a two-alarm fire early Shabbos morning, with officials suspecting squatters may have been responsible.

Emergency responders arrived at the 5th Street properties near Clifton Avenue at 4:54 am to find the structures engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly upgraded to a second alarm, prompting additional fire agencies to respond before crews brought the blaze under control.

No injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation, though fire officials said squatters living in the abandoned buildings are the leading theory.