NORTH FORSYTH — A nearly-completed home under construction in the Settler's Lake subdivision was destroyed by fire early Monday, authorities said.

According to Forsyth Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers, the house on Settler's Grove Road was about 90 percent complete.

Shivers added that it and several other nearby homes were empty, so no one noticed the fire when it started. That, in turn, likely gave the blaze time to spread before firefighters were notified.  

The fire was reported by a passer-by, who saw flames about 4 a.m.

When firefighters arrived, Shivers said the home was engulfed in flames and part of it had collapsed.

Although they don’t think there was any one in the house, investigators will sift through the rubble to make sure, Shivers said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.