2 children found living with dead animals in squalid Northeast Philadelphia home

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Federal authorities executed a search warrant at a Northeast Philadelphia home Tuesday, where investigators found two children living in what sources described as squalid conditions alongside dead animals.

The search took place on the 7100 block of Whitaker Avenue.

Only Action News was there while the FBI was on the scene. We learned that agents surrounded the home for several hours.

Crews were later seen preparing to board up the property.

Sources told Action News that agents discovered two children living inside the home in unsanitary conditions with multiple dead cats and at least one dead dog.

The children were taken to a hospital for evaluation and were not believed to be injured.

Video from the scene showed investigators wearing hazmat suits entering and exiting the home while collecting and cataloging evidence.

An Action News camera also captured what appeared to be a rifle being removed from the residence.

A cat standing in the home's doorway surrounded by dirt could also be seen.

The reason for the FBI search warrant and the identity of the person or people named in the warrant were not immediately released.

A spokesperson confirmed the FBI is conducting "court-authorized law enforcement activity."

Neighbor Vex Holmquist said she regularly noticed a strong odor coming from the home.

"Every time I would walk by, it would smell really bad, kitty litter and everything, and a horrible stench every time you would walk. You could smell it from across the street," Holmquist said. "I've seen one kid, I think, play with their neighbor. That's about it. I've never actually seen the people come out or anything."

Officials from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections and a garbage truck were at the property Tuesday evening. Philadelphia Gas Works also responded to the scene and shut off utility service to the home, according to a spokesperson.

The FBI has not commented on the investigation. The circumstances surrounding the search warrant remain under investigation.