MUSCATINE, Iowa — Within hours after the Hepker home caught fire Saturday morning, friends, family and acquaintances offered food, clothing and a helping hand to the family who could only stand outside and watch their home at 2286 N. Hilltop Drive burn.

Matt and Trina Hepker and their son Dane, 7, were coming home from the Muscatine Soccer Complex around 11 a.m. when they pulled up to find neighbors frantically beating on their door and windows and smoke rising from the roof.

“The neighbors thought Matt was home sleeping because he works swing shifts and his truck was in the driveway,” Trina Hepker said. “We instantly thought about our pets. Matt ran into the burning house to get Elvis.”

Elvis, a bichon frisé, is the Hepkers’ dog. Also inside were a kitten, a cat, and ferret.All of the pets  survived including Koda, the ferret, which was unresponsive and had to be given oxygen by firefighters.

Neighbors said they could hear the smoke detectors inside the home going off when the smoke was spotted.

As the fire burned a large hole in the roof in the center of their home, Letts and Fruitland volunteer firefighters battled the blaze and brought in pumper trucks for water. Two firefighters from the Muscatine Fire Depart-ment were called in for mutual aid.

“There was heavy smoke coming from the eves so we knew it was likely an attic fire, which proved to be true,” said Letts fire chief June Anne Gaeta. “There is significant fire damage and 100 percent smoke damage throughout.”

Gaeta said Sunday that she believes the fire was an electrical issue but that the insurance company will send an investigator.

Left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, the Hepkers picked up some of the photos and keepsakes the firefighters pulled from the home. Everything was covered in black soot and streaked with water stains.

Trina, who works at West Middle School, and Matt, who works for Muscatine Power & Water, lost everything in their bedroom. Their bathroom floor fell though, along with their armoire.

Dane’s clothes were smoke damaged and his toys ruined.

The couple’s oldest boy, Austin Moss, 13, lost many belongings when his Iowa Hawkeye-themed room was filled with soot.

Their daughter, Mati Hepker, 10, won the title of Little Miss Iowa this year. Some of her favorite keepsakes from all the pageants she’s competed in since age 5 were ruined. Most of her crowns had bent over from exposure to heat and their shiny silver and gem-studded arches were blackened.  Mati recently held a bake sale and book drive to collect books to give to children and adults in homeless shelters, all of which burned in the fire.

“The sentimental things like notes from the kids and cards from Matt, they are all gone. I will miss that the most,” But, Trina was quick to add, “I am glad my family was safe.”

The Hepkers have a place to stay and expect to meet with their insurance agent today.

Gaeta said that October  is fire prevention month and that she would like to remind people they should place a smoke detector in their attics, even if it’s hard to access. Two other fires she’s responded to this year were similar to the Hepkers’ house fire.

“They weren’t home so it may not have helped in this case, but there is a good possibility that the fire had burned quite awhile and a detector may have caught it.,” Gaeta said.

Want to Help?

What: Fundraiser for the Hepker family

When: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6

Where: Wendy’s Hamburgers, 2519 Park Ave. Muscatine

More information: River City All Stars is hosting the function. Ten percent of sales will go to the family. Donations and books will also be accepted at Wendy’s during that time. Contact Nicole Vasquez at rayvasquez@machlink.com or 563-264-1711 for questions or to donate clothing, household items or money.

To donate

An account for donations has been set up. Contribute money for the Hepkers at any Central State Bank location.