INDIAN HILL, Ohio --
Fire destroyed a historic, multimillion-dollar home and injured 11 firefighters Wednesday evening in Indian Hill.
Investigators said the 12,000-square-foot home, built in 1929 and worth $5.2 million, is a total loss.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the blaze, but they said they are focusing on an area where workers stripped paint in the hours before the fire began.
Investigators will try to determine if a heat gun was used to remove paint from woodwork, which can become heated and smolder for hours before igniting.
Homeowner James Jaeger said he and his wife were alerted to the fire shortly after 7 p.m. when an alarm went off while they were eating dinner.
Fire Chief Steve Ashbrock said there was a flashover explosion or backdraft on the homes third floor, injuring six firefighters, burning at least one of them seriously.
The firefighters had been battling the blaze there before retreating moments before the explosive event to the second floor, which authorities said had likely prevented more serious injuries.
Madeira/Indian Hill firefighter Drew Foppe was treated and released from University Hospital, where his son, Robert Foppe, remained Thursday in fair condition.
Two other Madeira/Indian Hill firefighters, Chad Paris and Chris Higgins, remained hospitalized there in good condition, and Frank Fazzio remained at University Hospital in fair condition.
We are going through the process of talking to each one of those guys, (and) they are plenty well enough to talk to us and plenty lucid enough that they remember what happened, Ashbrock said.
Jaeger said he was outside when he heard a "whump" and all the windows in the house blew out as the explosion occurred.
A University Hospital spokesman said some of the injured had third-degree burns to the face and neck.
A seventh firefighter was sent to Jewish Hospital for observation after suffering a shoulder injury fighting the fire, while an eighth went to University Hospital for breathing problems.
Three others were treated for minor injuries, and authorities said most of the firefighters would likely be treated and released Thursday afternoon.
