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NORFOLK - A dog was rescued Monday morning from a fire that heavily damaged a house on Lawrence Street, forcing the owners to seek alternate housing.

The dog was found in the dining room floor by a neighbor, David Bradford, who was passing by the home, and Patrolman Thomas Degnim.

The men had to force entry into the 2 1/2-story home at 51 Lawrence St. to get to the dog, a goldendoodle, Fire Chief Coleman Bushnell said.

The pet was not injured, and the first floor was filled with only a moderate amount of smoke at the time, Bushnell said.

The fire, reported by Bradford around 9:45 a.m., was extinguished by firefighters in about a half-hour and was confined to a second-floor bedroom and attic, Bushnell said. No one was home at the time of the fire, and the owners were working with the insurance carrier to arrange temporary housing, he said. The dog was taken by the animal control officer, he added.

The fire was ruled accidental by local fire investigators and the state Fire Marshal's Office. Bushnell said wiring to a ceiling heating system was blamed.

The fire caused significant damage to the home, which was ruled uninhabitable by the building commissioner.

The chief did not have a dollar estimate for the damage.

Bradford of Bretts Farm Road was going by the house, between Bretts Farm Road and Eagle Road, when he spotted fire coming from the rear of the house and heavy smoke pouring from the attic, Bushnell said.

Because there is no municipal water in that part of town, tanker trucks from Wrentham and Walpole responded to the fire for a water supply, Bushnell said.

Firefighters attacked the blaze with three hose lines, according to the fire chief. Local firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Wrentham, Franklin, Millis, Foxboro and Walpole. Plainville firefighters covered the fire station.

Bushnell said adequate staffing was available for the fire because local off-duty firefighters and call staff were attending a state Department of Fire Services fireground management course at the Norfolk Public Library.

"Rather than having only three firefighters on the first alarm, we were exceptionally fortunate to staff the engine with five firefighters and the aerial ladder with two members. Having the extra help on the first alarm was the difference today," Bushnell said.