LIVERMORE — An undetermined number of chickens perished Tuesday night when a small chicken coop was destroyed by fire, Fire Chief Don Castonguay said.

It was reported as a structure fire at 1638 Federal Road.

The glow from the chicken coop fire initially made it appear that the owner’s house was on fire, Castonguay said.

The house, owned by Dennis Lee, is about 50 feet from the now-destroyed chicken coop.

Lee was issued an open-burn permit so he could let the coop’s remains burn instead of having to clean it up, Castonguay said.