2 cats and a dog died as a home burned to the ground Wednesday morning. No one was home when the fire started, but Chad and Vicki Boettcher say their cats Callie and Sassy and their Black Lab Max never made it out.

The house is in southern Eau Claire County on Lange Road. Augusta-Bridge Creek Fire Training Officer Jason Pettis says the fire started near the kitchen area, but crews are still investigating exactly how the it started. 4 departments were on scene for hours putting out the flames and dousing hot spots. Pettis says strong winds made fighting the fire hard and crews also worked to make sure the woods near-by didn't burn down. The Boettchers say they'll stay with family for now until they're able to rebuild.

If you were at the scene and have pictures or video, please email news@weau.com or call 715-839-9328.