HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say 18 pet birds were killed in a house fire in northern Indiana.

Hammond Fire Chief Jeff Smith tells The (Munster) Times firefighters quickly extinguished the fire Friday night and there was little fire damage to the home. The home did suffer smoke damage. Smith says the smoke likely killed the birds.

He says all of the birds were in cages. At least two dogs escaped from the home during the fire. Smith says he was unsure if they were found.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.