JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A $1 million home caught fire in the 3700 block of Ortega Boulevard Wednesday afternoon, and firefighters said painters likely started the fire accidentally.

They said painters were stripping paint on the second floor while using some sort of heating device.

Firefighters said they believe that's what sparked the flames.

The smoke and flames billowed from the roof, and about 65 firefighters and at least eight fire engines were at the scene.

Firefighters said the fire took about two hours to put out.

The call came in around 2:30 p.m. from the homeowner, who said he was at the house but was not injured.

Firefighters, who arrived within six minutes after the call, said they never had a fighting chance. They said calls came in from people who could see smoke from the Ortega bridge.

The third story of the home appeared to be completely gone.

The home is being called a total loss. No one, including firefighters, was injured.

The mansion was built in the early 1900s.

"This is an old house, and the house is made from lighter wood," said neighbor John Gineter, who lives four doors down from the fire. "This is very flammable wood. It's what people start fires with. Once it gets on fire and gets a good start, you just don't put it out with a can of water."

Gineter said the firefighters had a huge problem when they arrived.

"No water to speak of," he said. "Getting their water hooked up probably 30 minutes. It seemed like forever, and this thing's burning and burning like gasoline."

Fire officials said because the home is more than 5,000 square feet, they had difficulty in setting up their equipment on a commercial-sized property in a neighborhood with zoning laws.

They insist it didn't matter because the fire was so advanced by the time they arrived.

"There's a possibility that the actual main itself may not have been sufficient," said Tom Francis, of JFRD. "But at this stage of the operation it's too soon to make that determination."