Fire departments from North Franklin, Claysville, Taylorstown and South Franklin responded to the 3400 block of Route 40 shortly after 9 p.m., but were unable to save the house.
Neighbors said the house has been unoccupied for several months after the homeowner died. The neighbors said relatives had been remodeling the house and were clearing brush earlier in the day.
A state police fire marshal was called to investigate the cause of the blaze.