Torch caused fire at mansion

Renovation work cited; firefighters taken to hospital

A Boston firefighter made his way down a ladder during yesterday's five-alarm fire in Jamaica Plain, to which 115 responded. Occupants escaped the blaze at the historic house, but four firefighters were injured and $2.5 million in damage was estimated. (NICOLAUS CZARNECKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)

A painter using a propane torch to remove peeling paint from a pillar of a stately mansion set off a five-alarm fire yesterday afternoon in Jamaica Plain that injured four firefighters, fire officials said.

The blaze broke out just after 3 p.m., while a painter worked on the final pillar of the historic house, which the owners had been restoring for the past year. The fire quickly traveled up the column and under the slate roof, prompting the nanny inside to flee along with two young children.

"It's disheartening, but it's a house, not a kid," homeowner Will Fulton said shortly after returning home from work. "We will replace the house."

Conditions grew so severe, with 10-foot flames shooting out of the attic, that fire officials ordered firefighters out of the house. Portions of the roof collapsed, along with a widow's walk.

Four firefighters were injured battling the blaze. Two were treated for cuts at the scene, while ambulances took a firefighter away for a more severe cut and another for chest pains.

Steve MacDonald, a Fire Department spokesman, said damage was estimated at $2.5 million.

"It's an absolutely beautiful house," MacDonald noted, as more than 115 Boston firefighters swarmed the scene, where nearby streets were blocked off.

The Fultons bought the 2 1/2-story house on Dane Street roughly a year ago after the previous homeowner, who was in her 90s, died, neighbors said. The Fultons, prior to the purchase, lived just around the corner from the beige-colored house, which had been decorated with four ornate pillars. Neighbors said the couple completely refurbished the inside and appeared to be doing the final work on the exterior.

"Everyone in the neighborhood was so happy when they bought it," said John Papson, adding that it was the previous owner's wish to have the mansion maintained as a single-family house, rather than be chopped into condominiums. "They did a beautiful job."

Paul Callahan, whose backyard abuts the property, said he was reading a book on his back deck when he noticed the smoke coming from the gutters. Moments later he saw the flames.

"It's such a tragedy," Callahan said. "We just watched that house grow beautiful every day. . . . They are a lovely family."

The Fultons have three children - ages 5, 8, and 10 - along with a dog, two cats, and a fish. All in the house at the time of the fire made it out safely, Fulton said.

James Vaznis can be reached at jvaznis@globe.com.