The occupants of a Cartersville home engulfed in an early morning blaze were out of town as the house was completely destroyed.

Officials say the family declined Red Cross assistance, citing other accommodations. While a vehicle parked at the home next door was damaged from exposure to the heat, no one was injured in the fire.

When Bartow County Fire Department crews arrived at 15 Camden Woods Drive about 3:30 a.m., the house was "fully involved" in fire, officials said. The first truck arrived 6 minutes after the initial call, and crews from at least three county fire stations had the blaze under control in another 34 minutes, but worked at the scene until 5:45 a.m.

Investigators are working to determine what caused the blaze, which witnesses say burned the home to the ground and sent up plumes of thick smoke in the area.