NEWTON, Mass. --
A Greek Revival home dating to the 1850s was destroyed in a two-alarm fire in Newton Saturday.
The Brackett House, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, was ravaged by flames after it caught fire at about 11 a.m. Fire companies from Newton, Waltham and Boston battled the blaze, which started on the porch and traveled through the clapboard walls to the gabled roof.
At one point, a third-floor ceiling collapsed and trapped several firefighters in the building, but all managed to escape. Three were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Newton Fire Chief Joseph Lacroix said.
The 2 1/2-story dwelling and carriage house at 621 Center St. were first owned by provisioner Gilman Brackett, who held several properties in the neighborhood. A north wing was added to the front of the building in 1900, and the property was purchased by the Burton family in 1917, according to a property record.
The building was historically significant for its southern antebellum design, a mix of Greek revival and Colonial revival architecture. The 17-room mansion, set inside a tree-shaded lot, featured triple-pained French windows and graded columns along the front.
"It's heartbreaking," said neighbor Frank Mannix. "It's such a beautiful home. It's a source of pride for everyone around here."
The location is also said to have a history as a community center dating back to the founding of Newton Corner, according to a staff member at Historic Newton.
"There are not that many homes around the area that are as beautiful as this one," said Mannix.
LaCroix said the homeowners were vacationing in Paris when the fire broke out. Their two sons escaped after they were woken up by fire alarms, LaCroix said.
Molly Korner, who lives in the carriage house on the property, said that while she realizes the historical significance of the building, the fire will be a tremendous personal loss for the owners as well.
"The owner is a real estate lawyer and I know he was particularly fond of old houses and it means a great deal to them," said Korner.
LaCroix estimated the damage to the home in the millions.
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