Some Tremont residents are pointing the finger at squatters for a fast-moving fire that left them homeless Monday.

The Red Cross says 17 families are now homeless after the fire spread from a vacant building on E. Tremont Avenue. Rubble now scatters the block as fire officials investigate the cause. Residents are blaming squatters who they tried to have evicted.

Residents say they complained to the city about the squatters several times for at least a year. However, housing officials say they only have one complaint on file and investigators could not confirm the accusation.