Fire crews were dispatched around 1:37 a.m. and arrived about four minutes later to find flames coming through the roof and the rear of the home.
Officials said the roof later collapsed in the back portion of the house. Approximately 30 firefighters from multiple agencies, including Rolesville and Wake Forest, responded to the scene.
The fire was brought under control in about an hour.
Authorities said a woman believed to be in her 50s remains unaccounted for. Officials said she lived alone in the home.
The house sustained extensive damage, with the interior largely gutted by the fire.
Investigators with the fire marshal's office and state agencies are expected to continue examining the scene after daybreak to determine the cause of the fire.
No additional information was immediately available.