2 neighboring homes catch fire in Denver area, 3 suffer minor injuries, several cats perish

Firefighters in Westminster battled a fire at two neighboring houses in the Colorado city. Three people suffered minor injuries and several pets were killed.

Thick black smoke was coming from the houses just before 6 p.m. They are located near the intersection of 81st and Stuart Street. That's just south of West 80th Avenue.

Approximately an hour later the fire was mostly under control.

It appears the fire started in one home and spread to the one next door.

The pets that died were cats, and they were found in each home.

A team from the American Red Cross responded to the fire to help families who were displaced.