INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. – A fire Sunday evening at the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in Indian Trail led to the death of more than 30 birds.

Volunteers smelled smoke and called 911 around 9 p.m.

The birds died from smoke inhalation and the dead include chickens, ducks and geese.

About 50 other birds are being treated for smoke inhalation and burns to their feet.

Volunteers told Spectrum News power outlets surged in the recovery barn, but say they're not exactly sure why.

"This is an extremely hard hit because our barn is where the birds go after we have treated them for various injuries," said Joyce Gehring, a shift leader at the facility. "We put them into the barn so that they can finish their recovery before some of them can be released and the domestic birds can be put up for adoption."

Fire officials are still trying to determine an exact cause of the blaze.

Volunteers don't know how long it will be before things are up and running again. They say they're relying on donations and on how quickly they can get money and materials.

Click here to make a donation to help the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue rebuild.