Charles Fisher / WFAA-TV

PLANO — Fire officials were working to determine the cause of a house fire that killed more than 30 dogs and cats in Plano.

The fire was reported about 9:20 p.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Amherst Drive less than half a mile west of Collin Creek Mall, police said. The owners were not at home.

Plano Fire Department Capt. Floyd Jones said today that the fire began in the rear bedroom of the home. After the fire, crews wore protective gear to avoid exposure to the dead animals.

Capt. Jones said the home was filled with animals, and that officials stopped counting at 30.

"Some of our people who have responded to that address before on medical calls over the past several years have noted the large amount of animals and feces," Capt. Jones said.