Firefighters battle early morning outdoor blaze

SACRAMENTO COUNTY — Firefighters from the Sacramento Metro Fire Department were able to contain an early morning outdoor fire as it pushed up against a Carmichael home Sunday.

Firefighters were called to the 5500 block of Woodleigh Drive just before 4:30 am where they found heavy flames on the side of the house. They quickly extinguished the fire and searched for possible victims.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an electric warming blanket over a bird cage on the exterior of the home that was being used to keep a family of parakeets warm.

There were no human injuries, but four birds perished, according to a fire department spokesman.