9 cats, 1 dog killed in North Lauderdale fire

Red Cross responds to help those in house fire

NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A fire in North Lauderdale forced a family of eight out of their home Monday morning and killed 10 animals.

Daniel Medeiros, who lived inside the home, said the family woke up to the smell of smoke. Medeiros said nine cats and a dog were killed in the fire, but the family got out in time.

One cat survived, and one cat is still missing.

"I was watching TV in the back bedroom and we smelled smoke, so we went out and as soon as I opened the bedroom door, it was black smoke throughout the whole house," Medeiros said. "You couldn't even see right in front of you."

Medeiros said the fire was contained to the garage, but the home is destroyed due to smoke damage.

North Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said six adults and two children were living at the home. They said the family did not have insurance on the home, and the American Red Cross is assisting the family.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but family members said they believe it may have been an electrical issue.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.