A South Milwaukee family is being assisted by the Red Cross following a fire in their home at S 12^th and W Minnesota Avenue Monday.  A 911 call was placed around 8:15 PM reporting smoking come from the west side of the two story structure.   The South Milwaukee Fire Department reports that the occupants of the home were not at home at the time of the fire.  Several family pets, however, did die in the fire.   There is no estimate available on the amount of damage to the home and the cause of the fire is being investigated.  The South Milwaukee Fire Department was assisted by several neighboring fire departments in fighting the blaze.