(CONSTANTINE) – Authorities are trying to determine the cause of a weekend house fire.

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon says at 4:14 PM Sunday, his department was called to a structure fire in the 200 block of Plum Street. When they arrived, they found the back porch of the house fully engulfed in flames.

Fire fighters started battling the blaze and had it put out by 4:30 PM.

The occupants of the dwelling said they heard an explosion and when they opened the back door, they found heavy smoke and flames on the porch. They were able to get out of the house, but three dogs died in the fire.

Assisting at the scene were the White Pigeon Fire Department, the Constantine and White Pigeon Police Departments, the Constantine Department of Public Works and the St. Joseph County Victims Services Unit.

If anyone has information on this fire, they are asked to call St. Joseph County Central Dispatch at 269-467-4195.