WEYMOUTH − The cause of an overnight fire Wednesday at the New England Wildlife Center is under investigation, the Weymouth Fire Department said.

The fire, which a fire department spokesman described as small, was reported in a back part of the building at about 2 a.m. Wednesday.

While the fire was put out in five minutes, first responders had at first considered evacuating the animals, according to information from a police and fire scanner. They were able to clear the smoke without having to do so.

The nonprofit New England Wildlife Centers was founded 40 years ago and originally worked out of Bare Cove Park in Hingham, where the organization used the site’s former military ammunition bunkers as its hospital until 2001, according to the center’s website. A capital campaign raised millions to build the center at 500 Columbian St. in South Weymouth.

In addition to offering wildlife veterinary services and an “odd pet vet” for exotic animals, the center offers educational programs, internships and tours.

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According to the center, it treats about 225 different wildlife species each year.