CANAAN – A state fire official was called Saturday to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a two-story home on Route 23.

The home was recently purchased by August Darge, according to Canaan Town Clerk Sherrill Hunt.

The house, reported at 9:45 a.m. by a passing motorist, was engulfed in flames when Canaan firefighters arrived, according to John Graf, assistant fire chief. He said the home was sheltered by trees and was not clearly visible from the highway.

No one was home at the time of the fire, Graf said. The fire official said that his department was assisted at the scene by firefighters from Clinton, Pittsfield, Hartland and Skowhegan.