Fire crews spent hours at the scene of an exotic pet store in Rome on Thursday.

According to the Rome fire chief, a smoke alarm went off early Thursday morning at Peterson’s Exotic Pet Shop, located at 305 North James Street.

Firefighters responded after a tenant in the upstairs area called 911.

"They realized they had more than just a smoke detector activation. They went to get up to the apartment that notified us of the incident. He was confined to a wheelchair so they got the gentleman out that was the second floor occupant," said Rome Fire Chief Ron Brement.

Brement says the smoke detector likely saved the man. Still, close friends say the Vietnam Veteran lost everything.

"He’s really in need. He lost everything that you can see. I just really hope people can help him out. He served our country, let’s pay him back for his service," said Rome resident Billy Jo Roberts.

Part of the pet shop collapsed, and all of the animals are believed to have died in the fire.  

Fire spread to the vacant building next door. A pawn shop two buildings down also suffered smoke and water damage.

"The worst thought about it is the animals that were in the exotic pet store. Thank God the guy upstairs made it out," said Anthony Jerold of Rome.

The cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation. Crews are looking into if pet equipment like a heat lamp started the fire.

Two GoFundMe pages have been established as a result of the fire — one for the sole occupant who lived above the store and one for the business itself.