Pottsville ?firefighters found animals in “deplorable condition” when they responded to a house fire at 457 E. Arch St. in the city Saturday.

Pottsville Fire Chief James Misstishin Sr. said they and the Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team responded after being dispatched at 11:27 p.m. for a structure fire. The three occupants, who were not the tenants, told them there were dogs in the basement.

He said the firefighters contained the fire in about 30 minutes, which was limited to the third floor and roof area, but spread to 455 E. Arch St. The dogs were removed later as they were not in danger, Misstishin said.

He said there were “seven dogs (all pit bulls) in the basement. One running loose.”

There was “feces in cages. No food and water visible. Urine in the cages,” Misstishin said.

Hillside SPCA personnel helped to remove the dogs, which belong to the tenants, he said. He described the second floor as “a room filled with exotic animals.”

Firefighters went past the room when fighting the fire, unaware of the inhabitants.

Misstishin said the house contained “dead rats in cages.” A snake was in the room, along with a 3-foot lizard running loose.

“I had a grave safety concern for firefighters,” Misstishin said.

A man from the Venom Institute, Schuylkill Haven, removed the reptiles, according to a Facebook post from Tricia Moyer-Mentzer, the director of the Hillside SPCA. An exact number of exotic animals removed was not available.

Misstishin said exotic animals are not permitted in the city.

A nearby property at 455 E. Arch had smoke, water and fire damage to the ceiling and roof area. Neither tenants have insurance.

“The cause is accidental electrical,” Misstishin said.

A mini refrigerator was plugged into an extension cord, then an outlet. Clothing was on top of the cord, he said. Damage estimates are “probably in excess of $25,000,” he said.

He estimated less than $10,000 in damages to 455 E. Arch St.

Five people were displaced from 457, two tenants and the three others. The two tenants from 455 are staying with friends.