UPDATE: Fire Damages Ames Mobile Home Thursday

Last update 6:10 p.m.

A 4-year-old child alerted her sleeping parents to a fire that damaged the family's mobile home Thursday morning, allowing them to escape unharmed.

Ames Fire Firefighters arrived at the 100 block of Waterfront Drive about 9:30 a.m. When Ames Fire Department Lieutenant Tom Hackett arrived flames were shooting from the northwest corner of the mobile home closest to the street and smoke filled the trailer, he said.

The family of four, two parents a 4-year-old and a 16-month-old boy were being assisted by Ames police officers who were already on the scene, Hackett said. Keith Winefeldt is listed as the mobile home's owner.

Hackett said the parents were sleeping at the time the child noticed the fire.

The fire's cause remains under investigation. It appeared that a bedroom near the front of the structure received the most damage, Hackett said.

Firefighters first battled the blaze from the exterior before entering the home. The residents were able to gather some personal belongings after the fire was extinguished. They are currently staying with family in the area.

The fire caused an estimated $40,000 in damage.