Dan Smith had just put the finishing touches on a new saltwater aquarium, complete with clownfish that he recently added to his growing underwater collection.

The saltwater aquarium, along with nearly everything else Dan owns, was lost in a fire that swept through his home early Wednesday afternoon at 414 S. 3rd St.

“I’d say he lost about everything he owns,” said Dan’s mother, Ruth Smith, at the scene of the fire Wednesday.

The Ames Fire Department responded to a call at 11:56 a.m. Wednesday of smoke seeping through the roof of the Smith residence.

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Sandoval said crews arrived and found heavy smoke coming from the roof and the second story of the home.

Firefighters battled the blaze as it progressed through the first and second floors, as well as the attic.

City of Ames Assessor records indicate the home was built in 1890 and was valued at $41,700. Dan’s parents, Jerry and Ruth Smith, own the residence.

Both Smith, age 23, and his roommate, Jared Seehusen, age 24, were at work at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

At about 12:30 p.m., firefighters abandoned the home, as officials from the City of Ames turned the nearby power lines off.

“We’ve called all firefighters out and are fighting it defensively now,” Sandoval said at the scene Wednesday.

Sandoval said the house was “a total loss.” He estimated damages at $55,000.

“Do you have any clothing?” Ruth asked Seehusen on Wednesday, as firefighters smashed through six upstairs window panes of the house, sending streams of glass and water tumbling toward the ground.

“Just what I’m wearing,” Seehusen said.

Two cats, Gizmo and Gi Gi, were inside the home when the blaze raced up the walls.

Gi Gi escaped, but Gizmo, a long-haired black cat, was given oxygen through a pediatric mask at the scene of the fire and later taken to the small animal hospital at the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Sandoval said the cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.

“They’re looking more at the electrical, but it’s not for certain,” Ruth said.

Both of the men’s bedrooms were located on the second floor of the home, which sustained the majority of the damage. They had lived at the residence for approximately two years.

Dan said he will stay with his parents, who live about seven miles north of Ames.

Seehusen said he will most likely stay with his fiancee, Suzie Brinkman, until other arrangements can be made.

He said Wednesday started off as any other day.

“I got up, and I was out of the house by quarter after six. There was nothing unusual,” Seehusen said.

Donations to the victims of the fire can be directed to the Lincoln Way Chapter of the American Red Cross, 436 Fifth St., or by calling (515) 232-5104.