An early Wednesday morning Campustown fire has left four Iowa State students without a home.

The small fire at 315 Hayward Ave. started as a result of a firebox in the fireplace that was “rotted out or broke,” said Fire Capt. Tom Hilts of the Ames Fire Department.

“The fireplace was located in a center wall of the house, between the living room and the bedroom. It burned into the basement,” Hilts said.

The students living in the house, Bill Smith, Matt Gilliam, Kelly Thompson and Mike Merrill, are staying in rooms found for them by the Story County Chapter of the Red Cross.

Capt. Lyle Scandrett of the Ames Fire Department said none of the residents was injured, although two were home at the time of the fire. The house sustained about $25,000 in damages — $10,000 to contents and about $15,000 in structure.

The fire department received the call at about 3:48 a.m., Hilts said. Apparently one of the residents had set his alarm, and when he awoke he smelled the smoke and called 911. Eleven firefighters, two trucks, one truck company and a command car were alerted to the fire.

Scandrett said the fire was put out almost immediately. He said this is the second fire at that address within the last several years, and the previous fire was also caused by a firebox.

Hilts said there was nothing unusual about the blaze. “Things went well; there were no injuries — it was pretty typical.”