MOULTRIE, Ga. — A fire that destroyed a Fifth Avenue Southeast residence early Saturday morning is under investigation as fire officials try to determine what caused the blaze.

The fire at the 1718 Fifth Ave. S.E. residence of Nicole Chinchilla was reported at about 4:20 a.m. Saturday.

When firefighters arrived flames were coming through the roof, according to Moultrie Fire Department reports.

The reports noted that when they arrived the back door of the residence was damaged. The resident was out of town at the time of the fire, the reports said.

Chinchilla got in contact with police and the fire department to check on a dog that had been left inside the house.

There was no dog inside the house when firefighters got inside, reports said. The residence is owned by Wanda Hamliton of Norman Park.

It apparently was a total loss.