Early Morning Fire Destroys Home

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 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.