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Firefighters were called to the two-level house in the 4800 block of Danet Place around 7:20 p.m., said Capt. Oscar Garcia, a spokesman for the county Fire and Rescue Service. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from both floors of the house and burning through the roof when they arrived, he said.

The family, along with their dog, returned home shortly before firefighters arrived to find their house was on fire, Garcia said.

"They say when they opened the door, smoke came pouring out," he said.

Garcia said neighbors had already called 911. The family waited outside for firefighters to arrive.

It took 50 firefighters about 20 minutes to get the fire under control, he said. No one was injured, but the family's pet bird, which was inside the house, died, Garcia said.

Fire inspectors have deemed the house unsafe to occupy. The family is being assisted by the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, he said.

"The house is definitely going to have to be rebuilt," Garcia said.

The fire originated on the first floor of the house, but the cause has not been determined, he said. Garcia was unable to estimate damage to the house.