UPDATE: Fire Destroys Lake Elsinore Home Near SR 74

Flames and smoke from a house fire in Lake Elsinore, just north of SR 74 near Grand Avenue, were visible from miles away Wednesday afternoon.

The fire broke out sometime around 3:15 p.m. at 33460 Maria Court. The home, a two-story, 2,000-square-foot structure, was "well involved" in flames when officials arrived, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire reported.

Due to "excessive fire load" in the residence, firefighters were on scene for an "extended period," according to Cal Fire spokeswoman Cheri Patterson. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief Phil Rawlings said the fire caused some "structure collapse" in the home.

Patterson said she could not speculate what was in the home, but said it could be anything, from a lot of furniture and books.

According to a Patch reporter on scene, boxes piled high in the garage did not burn. Cal Fire reported that the fire caused $300,000 in damage to the home and that only $40,000 worth of property was saved.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department requested that the sheriff's department be called in to help control a large crowd of onlookers.

No injuries were reported.

According to a home owner, who did not wish to speak to reporters, there were no pets in the home.

The homeowner was in the residence when the fire broke out; Cal Fire reported that a smoke detector alerted her to the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.