VIRGINIA BEACH — Fire officials are investigating a 2-alarm fire that displaced two families Thursday afternoon.
Virginia Beach Fire crews responded to the 500 block of Grant Avenue at 3:15 p.m. and found two homes next to each other on fire, according to a news release.
Firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames coming from both homes, and a second alarm was called out and additional fire crews were dispatched.
Officials said a shed between the two homes was destroyed by the fire and may have been the origin of the blaze.
“The quick response and decision to issue a second alarm just one minute after the first units arrived enabled firefighters to get the blaze under control in less than 30-minutes,” fire officials said in the news release.
No injuries were reported, but one cat perished in the fire.
There were two cats in each home. One cat was seen fleeing one of the houses and both families could not account for their other cats’ whereabouts late Thursday afternoon.
Virginia Beach Animal Control also responded to the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
