CENTERVILLE, Pa. -- Firefighters called to a blaze at a North Centerville home along Nobles Lane found a dog and several cats dead inside.

When firefighters from four different companies arrived at the Washington County home, they found flames shooting out of the roof, and at first, they had a difficult time fighting the blaze.

"We made entry in the front of the house, but the fire kind of pushed us back, and then other fire departments came," said Denbo-Vesta Assistant Fire Chief Joe Impiccini Jr.

Impiccini said additional firefighters from East Bethlehem, Richeyville and West Brownsville enabled them to control the fire from several angles.

The blaze, according to fire crews, appeared to have started in the basement of the home.

"It worked its way up through the middle of the house to the stairwell upstairs, and it collapsed the roof down into the basement," said Impiccini.

Firefighters said they found a dog and several cats dead in a room on the first floor. They also removed several firearms and antique swords from the house.

State Police Fire Marshal Steven Thompson was called to investigate the cause. He said the fire did not appear to be suspicious, but he intends to return on Wednesday.