? A fire tore through an abandoned warehouse and quickly spread to four houses in Stamford Sunday afternoon.

The fire, which investigators say started on the second floor of an abandoned medical supply warehouse, left about 20 people homeless. The warehouse, located at 2 Cedar St., is owned by Cedar Associates and has been abandoned for about four years. The fire broke out at approximately 2 p.m.

Stamford Fire Department Deputy Chief Tim Conroy says the first 10 minutes of the fire was one of the most active fire events he?d ever seen. He also says winds were a major factor in the fire?s spread. The deputy fire marshal is on the scene investigating.