PORTLAND, Ore. >> A man waving a sword delayed firefighters who arrived at burning home in North Portland.

KATU-TV reports that the firefighters had to wait for police to detain the man Saturday evening. He was also holding a shield.

Sgt. Greg Pashley with the Portland Police Bureau says firefighters first encountered the 69-year-old man on the front porch. Officers tried to talk to the man, but he kept swinging the sword and yelling incoherently.

Police fired a Taser to subdue the man. Firefighters went inside and rescued a dog that was suffering from smoke inhalation. They used a special dog oxygen mask to help the animal.

Firefighters got the fire under control in about 20 minutes. There was around $40,000 in damage to the house.

The cause is under investigation.