CARTHAGE — Two dogs and two chickens died in a garage fire on Route 2 early Thursday morning, East Dixfield fire Chief Randy Hall said.

Homeowner Bruce Mcleod was staying at his girlfriend’s house in Canton and no one was at his home at 1917 Route 2 when the fire erupted, Hall said.

“I know that two dogs and a couple of chickens died in the fire,” he said. “There were some other chickens running around the area, but I was able to get them away from the fire.”

Hall said a driver on Route 2 reported the fire at around 2:50 a.m. The property is on the border with East Dixfield.

Hall said a two-car garage was engulfed in flames when he arrived.

“I was on scene around 3 a.m., and the fire was already fully involved,” Hall said. “It was a tall structure, big enough to put a camper in. It was a wood-frame building with a cement pad underneath.”

Firefighters from East Dixfield, Dixfield, Jay and Wilton provided water.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause. Hall said he is not looking at it as suspicious.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com