Baltimore families call on city to do more about squatters

Families who live in West Baltimore are calling for city leaders to do more about squatters. Families said they believe some people moving into vacant homes are setting fires and endangering the community.

Area neighborhood associations are banding together, saying five houses have burned in the past six months, including one directly behind the house that exploded on Monroe Street. They want more involvement from the city.

"This is a warning to the city," said the Rev. Keith Bailey, with the Fulton Heights Neighborhood Association. "What the city can do is get behind the landlords, put somebody in (the houses). For the ones falling down, knock them down, but just don't board them up because they know how to go in and just move those boards."

The 11 News I-Team left messages seeking comment with the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development and the mayor's office.