MINOT (AP) - Officials at the Roosevelt Park Zoo will consider rebuilding a small barn destroyed by fire, a zoo official says. Eight birds were killed in the blaze.

The six peahens and two peacocks were the only animals in the Children's Zoo Barn, which doubles as the petting zoo in the summer, when the fire was reported shortly after noon Tuesday.

"It is a very sad occurrence. We've had all of them since they were chicks," said Becky Dewitz, the education coordinator of the zoo. Three of the birds were 7 years old and the others were 3 years old, she said.

The cause of the fire, which was quickly contained, was not immediately known. Dewitz said the possibilities include the heating system and electrical wiring. The fire apparently was reported by someone who lives near the zoo, she said.

"The building is standing, but we will have to tear it down," Dewitz said Wednesday. "So we have to wait for insurance to go through. It's just gated off for the protection of the staff."