UPDATE: Duff Ave. Fire Does More Than $100,000 Damage

Ames firefighters spent several hours battling a fire at an unoccupied Duff Avenue home Sunday that caused almost $126,000 in damages.

A neighbor alerted authorities to the fire in the 800 block of Duff Avenue at about saying smoke was coming from the home.

Firefighters searched the building encountering smoke and flames but found no one inside.

Paul Sandoval, Ames deputy fire chief, believes the fire started somewhere on the first floor possibly in a kitchen of the multifamily rental house. No one was renting apartments at the time and the home was for sale.

Twenty-four firefighters, almost half of the 's force, were on the scene Sunday. The two-story home was still smoldering after 7 p.m. Sunday, filling the historic neighborhood with smoke. The 800 block of Duff Avenue was closed to traffic but no one had to be evacuated. The home is expected to be a total loss.

The fire's cause is under investigation.