Flames were pouring out of the roof of an Escondido home where a fire ignited Wednesday morning.
The fire sparked before 6 a.m. at the home located in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of E. El Norte Parkway and N. Broadway, the Escondido Fire Department said.
At first, firefighters had a hard time discerning where the fire was located due to low-hanging fog, EFD Battalion Chief Jeff Sargis said.
Firefighters then spotted heavy flames and a stream of smoke coming from the backside of the building.
Crews began to tackle the fire and had the blaze under control within the hour, EFD said.
Three birds and four dogs died from smoke inhalation, said EFD Fire Investigator Sandy Bauer. Animal services was called to tend to the other pets.
No one was home during the blaze but EFD has not been able to contact the residents to inform them of the fire.
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Investigators do not believe the fire was suspicious in nature but an investigation would be completed to determine the cause, Sargis said.
The damages to the house were substantial, Bauer said.
No other information was available.
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