GRANITE FALLS — A fire damaged two neighboring homes in Granite Falls on Tuesday morning, Granite Falls Police said. There were no human injuries reported in the fire, and responders were able to rescue several family pets that had to be left behind as their owners escaped.

The fire was reported at 10:59 a.m. Tuesday, on the 1500 block of Ninth Avenue in Granite Falls. Responders found the west side of a residence engulfed in flames, and the east side of the house next door was also on fire, Police said. The occupants of one of the homes were all able to get out, but had to leave their pets behind. Law enforcement searched the second house and found it was unoccupied.

Firefighters were able to put out the flames and rescue the stranded pets, including three dogs, two cats and a lizard, Police said.

The fire appeared to have started in the garage of one of the homes, Police said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Granite Falls Police and Fire Departments, the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office, Granite Falls Ambulance, the Clarkfield Fire Department, Hanley Falls Fire Department, the Upper Sioux Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office all responded at the fire scene.

— Deb Gau