Fire authorities in Fort Worth, Texas, are investigating the cause of an early morning stable fire that left 11 horses dead and several others injured.

Fort Worth Fire Dept. spokesman Tim Hardeman said that around 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 4, a Fort Worth Police officer alerted the fire department after noticing flames and a pillar of smoke emanating from a boarding stable in northwest Fort Worth. Upon arrival firefighters discovered three stable buildings involved in fire; several horses were trapped inside, Hardeman said.

Firefighters along with Fort Worth Police personnel rescued eight horses from the blaze, Hardeman said. Of those three, including a mare and her foal, sustained visible burn injuries, he said. The third horse is not expected to survive its injuries, Hardeman said. The remaining five horses sustained what appear to be minor injuries, he said. Another 11 horses perished in the blaze, he said.

"One firefighter sustained minor burns to his hands as he worked to free the horses closest to fire," Hardeman said. "He was treated at the scene and released