Firefighters are investigating the cause of an early-morning blaze that destroyed a castle-themed mansion near Val-des-Monts, Que.

Plumes of smoke billowed from the 29-room home Wednesday morning as firefighters monitored hotspots at the house, at 133 Lafreniere, near the community of Perkins.

Fire crews from the communities of Cantley, Vals-des-Monts and L'Ange Gardien responded just before midnight, and found the house engulfed in flames. With no hydrants nearby, tankers had to truck water to the scene.

It took eight hours to contain the fire. Smoke continued to plume from the remains of the castle home on Wednesday morning as firefighters worked to put out the remaining flames. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

The owner, Ottawa resident Kati Lyon-Villiger, bought the mansion 14 years ago to renovate as a hobby home. Fire officials told CBC News the house used to be a base for the Hells Angels in the 1980s.

Lyon-Villiger was in the home's basement late Tuesday night when neighbours came over to warn her a fire had been spotted on the roof.

She escaped without injury.

Damage estimated at $500K

The fire gutted the house. One of the home's four towers is all that was left standing Wednesday. Police said damages to the home are estimated at $500,000.

Neighbour Donald Labelle said he watched the home burn to the ground.

"It's very sad. Outside is beautiful, because she started to rebuild the castle," said Labelle.

"There's almost nothing there," said Stephanie Fournier, whose home is next door to the property. "The woman that owns it. It was very special for her. It's been almost 10 years that she come here and tried to rebuild the castle. It was a big project."

Lyon-Villiger told CBC News she had hoped to host weddings and rent out rooms for special events, and had planned to give the mansion back to the community in her will.