Fire Capt Scott Kruger tells The Standard-Times newspaper of New Bedford that no on was injured during Monday's incident at the three-story home.

CaptKruger says the man was using a torch hooked up to a 20-pound 9-kilogram propane cylinder. He got too close to the building's wood frame and ignited the vinyl siding. The fire quickly spread into the building's second- and third-floor apartments.

It took 25 firefighters to subdue the blaze that damaged bedrooms in the upstairs units, and caused damage to the structure and wiring.

The homeowner will not be charged. -- AP