SUMMIT TWP — The state police fire marshal’s office is investigating a blaze early this morning that destroyed a house in the 300 block of Mitchell Hill Road.

The owner was not home and no one was injured in the quick-moving fire, authorities said.

The cause of the fire and where it started were not immediately known.

A passing motorist spotted the flames and called 911 about 2:30 a.m., according to a dispatcher at the Butler County Communications Center.

“A couple walls were standing when we got there,” said Chief Tim Gold of the Lick Hill Volunteer Fire Department, “but it was pretty much a complete loss.”

Police determined that the unidentified homeowner had been at his girlfriend’s house.

About 35 firefighters from five departments battled the blaze using a water tanker shuttle because there are no hydrants near the house.

Assisting the Lick Hill VFD were firefighters from East Butler, Herman, South Butler and Oneida Valley. The Saxonburg VFD also provided a tanker.

A state police fire investigator conducted a preliminary inspection earlier this morning. He was to return later in the day to resume his investigation, Gold said.