Family members have started a fund to help a Cole County family whose home was destroyed by fire early Monday morning.
Kelley Klein and Dustin Rackers, along with six children, were displaced by the fire on West Brazito Road.
Around 4 a.m. Monday, Dustin awoke to a "funny smell," Kelley's sister, Kristi Heritage, said.
"Dustin and Kelley searched the house and didn't find anything, so they decided to let all of the dogs out to go to the bathroom," Heritage said. "As they were sitting on the back deck the wiring on the front porch light caught fire, ran through the wall and burst into flames on the curtains and couch.
"The fire moved so fast that it instantly caught the carpet on fire, which prevented them from going into their bedroom, the upstairs kids' rooms, and the stairs to the basement bedrooms."
When Cole County Fire Protection District crews got on the scene, they found flames coming from the roof of the home.
It took about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control and contain it to the center of the home, but by that time, the structure was considered a total loss.
The occupants of the home were out by the time crews were on the scene and there were no injuries.
The state fire marshal determined an electrical problem sparked the blaze.
Heritage said Dustin and Kelley were able to get in through the garage on the basement level and got the kids out as well as being able to move the cars out of the garage.
"The home is only three years old so this was totally unexpected," Heritage said.
Heritage has created GoFundMe account in the hopes the community will help out.
The fundraising site is at gofundme.com/3b6efn33be6.