Authorities discovered one set of unidentified human remains Monday after sifting through ashes from a weekend house fire in southern Nevada County, according to the Sheriff's Office.

About half the ashes from the Sunday blaze at 20233 Wolf Creek Road have yet to be searched, and two men whose cars were parked there haven't been located, Sheriff's Detective Elaine LaCroix said. She said a state fire marshal is trying to find a cause.

Missing are the home's owner and his 24-year-old stepson from Citrus Heights, LaCroix said. She added that the owner's wife had been on a weekend shopping trip to San Francisco with her sister and daughter. That woman is also the mother of the Citrus Heights man.

A dog's remains were also found in the charred debris.

A neighbor reported the fire at 3:21 p.m. Sunday. He saw what appeared to be a person lying face-down inside the house, which was engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived at 3:30 p.m., according to authorities.

The Nevada County Consolidated Fire District and California Youth Authority wards raked and shoveled the wreckage Monday.

They left the scene, which is surrounded by yellow police tape, at about 6 p.m., when deputies arrived to provide overnight security. Sheriff's Office volunteers also watched the site.

Neighbors said the house, which is west of Dog Bar Road, is owned by Will and Kim Shaffer.

One neighbor, Carol Brady, described the Shaffers as "good people" but declined further comment. Another neighbor, Gordon Richey, said the couple has lived there about 15 years, but he didn't know them well.

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