RENTON, Wash. -- Renton firefighters rescued birds from a pet store that burned in a two-alarm fire that destroyed several strip mall businesses early Thursday morning.

SLIDESHOW: Fire Roars Through Renton Strip Mall
VIDEO: Debris Removed From Site Of Mall Fire

About 50 firefighters battled the blaze that broke out at 4:15 a.m. in a nail salon, spread to the shared attic area, and shot flames into the night sky.

Firefighters brought out cages of birds, saving the animals from the fire that caused "considerable damage" to four strip mall businesses, said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Jeff Dubois.

The owner of Just Parrots, Gayle Peters, told Dubois that all nine birds appeared to be OK.

Peters said now that her business is destroyed, she has no income but is grateful that the birds were saved.

Firefighters said the fire was difficult to put out because of a partial roof collapse that kept water from getting inside where the flames were.

Other stores that were damaged include a restaurant and chiropractic center.

The fire was out by about 7:15 a.m.

Fire investigators were preparing to search through the debris to find the cause. Firefighters said that once a crane arrives to pull out debris they can extinguish hot spots and start their investigation.

The Renton Police Department said Rainier Avenue South was closed in the area of the fire that was in the 360 block of Rainier Avenue South.