A Wednesday morning house fire near 54th and Orchard has kept animal control officers with the Nebraska Humane Society busy.
Firefighters responded around 9:00 and found smoke coming from the one story house. After determining that no one was inside, firefighters turned their attention to the animals that were in the home.
Firefighters and animal control officers ended up rescuing 14 chickens, seven turkeys, three dogs and a cat from inside the house. Four other chickens died of smoke inhalation.
The Humane Society's Kelli Brown says the homeowner had permits to house the birds. The cause of the fire is under investigation.