The FDNY says squatters are responsible for a two-alarm fire inside a Washington Avenue home early Wednesday morning.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Saccente, the illegal occupants sparked the blaze in the basement of the two-story Tremont house. He says flames made their way to the first and top floors, but did not spread to neighboring buildings.

Neighbors say they tried several times to alert authorities about the squatters, but that nothing was ever done.

The squatters had fled the scene by the time firefighters arrived and no injuries were reported.