Servpro, a water, fire and smoke damage restoration company, deemed Wednesday’s fire at 1515 Third St. a complete loss, but they plan to preserve some items left in the home.

“We are here tonight to dry out the structure of the house and clean any contents inside, with the permission of the owners,” Aaron Mason, an estimator for Servpro, said Thursday evening. “The owners can have us salvage anything they wish to.”

As far as the non-salvageable items lost in the fire, Mason said the parents’ homeowner’s insurance should take care of the tab.

Fire officials have determined the cause of the fire, but have not yet released that information.

Wes Ballsrud, the landlord of the house, said he’s waiting on his insurance adjuster to decide whether or not he will rebuild from the standing structure or tear it down and start anew, which may not be an option because of cost.

“This place is kind of my second home,” Ballsrud said. “I’d hate to demolish it, but I may have to if the cost to rebuild it is too high.”

The residents spent last night together at the cross county graduate assistant’s home.

“We had kind of a slumber party at coach (John) Sippel’s house,” Kevin Atkins, a senior Eastern runner, said. “None of us really slept though.”

Atkins lived in the far west room of the house, where the fire began, and lost pretty much everything he owned.

“I think my parents’ insurance company will cover about $6,000 worth toward the stuff I lost inside, but I’m pretty sure my truck will be totaled out,” Atkins said.

As of 3 p.m. Thursday, the five house mates have found temporary living quarters as well as permanent.

“For the next month or so, we’re going to be living at 2006 11th St.,” Dan Strackeljahn, a junior Eastern runner, said. “After that, we’re going to move into a house on Division Street.”

The men have managed to salvage a few of their personal belongings, some being conference medals and rings, board games, trash cans, candles and various other house items.

“Every little item we salvage is victory,” Atkins said.

But, going into the house hasn’t been that easy for the five roommates.

“Every time we go inside and see what it looks like, it just sucks even more,” Nathan Pepper, a junior Eastern runner, said.

Even with all of the loss they have on their minds the roommates remain in good spirit.

“Our humor and sarcasm has really helped us through this; there has been lots of jokes,” Strackeljahn said.