Homes in a Farrer street were evacuated as firefighters dealt with a fire so hot they were forced to retreat for up to two hours.
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The fire caused an estimated $500,000 damage to the home, and investigators are still trying to work out how and why it started.
Several people called Triple Zero about 6.20pm and three ACT Fire & Rescue pumpers and two commanders attended the scene at the Raw Place residence.
At 8.30pm, firefighters said they had the fire under control and were mopping up the remaining areas.
They brought the fire under control about midnight, and left firefighters at the site to watch for flare-ups.
Commander Ross Kennedy said firefighters using breathing apparatus had initially gone inside to check and found the house was empty, but had to retreat because of the intense heat.
They were forced into a defensive position for two hours and residents in the cul de sac were evacuated to behind a containment line.
Hazmat crews conducted atmospheric monitoring in nearby homes at about 8pm, before residents were allowed to return to their homes shortly afterward.
Commander Kennedy said the roof had been well alight, but he could not speculate why the fire had spread nor how it started.
"The trouble with roof fires is the trusses get weak and then you can have it come down on you," he said.
While some neighbours were initially concerned for their properties, Commander Kennedy said the fire had been contained to the house and no other residences were under threat.
One neighbour said the area was very close-knit, so the fire was very upsetting.
"[Firefighters] were here very quickly. They told us there was nothing to worry about and got to work," he said.
Bystanders said flames were very high before the firefighters arrived and the roof was well and truly ablaze.
At one point, a fire crew had to use the Bronto Aerial Platform to remove part of the home's roof so firefighters could get to the fire.
