The fire has been extinguished at the home at 2140 Monticello St., built in 1899, across from the First United Methodist Church annex.

Monticello Street was closed for much of the afternoon as fire crews battled a blaze that engulfed the entire roof. The street reopened after 6 p.m. after a company finished salvaging furniture and other belongings and boarding up the house.

The home was empty when the fire started and no one was injured, Smith said. The cause is not yet known, but the fire is believed to be accidental. Smith said a final determination should be made Thursday.

The roof collapsed and the second floor of the home appears to be a total loss.

"They'll probably tear the top of (the house) off and rebuild from the first floor up...she'll probably max the insurance policy out," Smith said.

The 5,011 square foot home was built in 1899, according to the Newton County Tax Assessor's website. The home is owned by Jannette Nicholson and valued at $256,900, according to the assessor's website; Nicholson purchased the home for $430,000 in 2006.

There are unsubstantiated rumors that the house was being used as a boarding house. At one point the home was advertised as a location for special events.

Honda of Conyers Owner Jay Jaynes said he was driving by and was one of the first people at the scene. Jaynes, a retired firefighter, and another person broke down the door and entered the home to make sure no one was inside. No one was found, but Jaynes said the second floor of the home could not be entered because there was too much smoke.