First responders search for puppy as they battle Massachusetts house fire

Thick smoke prevented a police officer's first attempt to rescue a dog from a burning house in Massachusetts overnight, but firefighters later found the animal as they battled smoke and flames. The fire at a home at 1 Little Road in Maynard was initially reported at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday, according to a statement from Maynard Fire Department Chief Angela Lawless. Arriving firefighters observed smoke rising from a side window of the one-story home. All the residents had evacuated with one of their dogs before the firefighters arrived. Their other pet, a puppy, remained inside. “A Maynard police officer entered the house but was unable to find the dog because of the smoke,” Lawless said. “A short time later, Acton Fire crews located the puppy, who was uninjured.” Crews gave the puppy water and oxygen after his ordeal. Firefighters worked for about an hour against the flames. Lawless said they were able to contain the fire to the original room. A Maynard resident and police officer were taken to an area hospital as a precaution, Lawless said. Both were released. At least three residents of the home were displaced. Their two dogs are in the care of Maynard Animal Control. Lawless said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.