MURFREESBORO – Fire officials here are investigating what sparked a blaze that destroyed a home early Thursday morning.

Murfreesboro Fire Chief Bryant Cooke said the residence at 227 Benthall Bridge Road was fully engulfed upon the arrival of fire units shortly before 1 a.m.

“There wasn’t a lot we could do at that point other than to put water on it and keep it from spreading elsewhere,” Cooke said. “The frame is still standing, but the entire interior area is gutted.”

Cooke added that the homeowner informed him that he had left his residence about one hour prior to the start of the fire. He said he didn’t think Wednesday’s bad weather had anything to do with causing the fire.

“The only weather-related thing was the 30-mile-per-hour winds we had while trying to extinguish the fire,” Cooke said. “That wind made it more difficult on our part.”

Cooke said the Murfreesboro Fire Department responded to the scene with three units and 15 firefighters. Mutual aid was provided by the Winton Fire Department (three units; 12 men) and Conway Fire Department (2 units; 9 men).

“We appreciate the assistance of the Winton and Conway firemen,” Cooke noted.

The last Murfreesboro unit left the scene at 4:30 a.m. and the American Red Cross was contacted to help the homeowner obtain temporary housing.