STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) Stamford's fire marshal says an overloaded electrical plug caused a blaze that destroyed a large home and killed two dogs.

Chief Fire Marshal Charles Spaulding told The Advocate that the fire early Wednesday morning was sparked by an outside plug that was supplying electricity to a powerful fountain pump used to aerate a pond. He said the fire was an accident.

Spaulding says the homeowners Jeff Gray and his wife, Margaret were saved by their pet retriever, which woke them up during the fire. The retriever escaped the home unharmed, but the Grays' two other dogs died in the blaze.

Spaulding says Jeff Gray tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but the blaze grew too big.

Officials called the home a total loss.