New London ― A stove top fire temporary displaced seven people from a rooming house at 73 Broad St. on Thursday night.

The fire, accidentally caused by food left on the stove, burned the stove and kitchen cabinets and led to a significant deposit of soot inside the home, Fire Marshal Vernon Skau said. The fire was extinguished by residents before firefighters arrived.

The Red Cross aided the residents with emergency needs and a temporary place to stay. Skau said he expected residents to be able to return once the home was cleaned.

The home is owned by the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.