Tears streamed down Christell Meyers' face as she remembered all the family photographs and mementos she lost Thursday in a fire.

Baby pictures of her four children, now 4, 7, 10 and 11, are gone, as well as photos and reminders of her brother, who died about 10 years ago. All the keepsakes were kept in a plastic trunk beside her bed.

"I figured if something happened I'd be able to grab them," she said.

But when a fire broke out at Meyers' home at 225 S. Middle she was more worried about getting her daughter and herself out safely.

Meyers and her daughter Bridgett, 4, were inside when the fire began about 2:20 p.m.

Firefighters responded after she called 911. She had tried to extinguish the blaze, which began on a mattress in a bedroom.

"I tried to put it out with a pitcher, but it was just moving too fast," she said. The smoke was so thick that she couldn't see the door clearly as she exited the rear of the house.

Flames shot out a bedroom window and lapped at the roof while firefighters battled the blaze around the front side of the two-story structure. The slate-blue siding on the house melted from the heat, and roof shingles fell to the ground.

Her husband, Ronald Meyers, his brother Tracy and their friend Kevin Wood had just come home for a lunch break from their painting job at Dana Corp. when the fire broke out.

"It took everything we had just to move here, and now it's gone," said Ronald Meyers. The family had recently moved to Cape Girardeau from Columbia.

Jerry Davis had just arrived to begin a porch remodeling project at a nearby home when he noticed smoke coming out the windows. He called 911.

Other neighbors watched from across the street as firefighters uncoiled hoses and prepared to douse the flames. The acrid smell of smoke filtered down the block as people walked along the sidewalks to get a better view of the fire.

Firefighters were investigating the cause but think it likely started from a match or lighter tossed on the bed.

Ronald Meyers said he thought his daughter had been playing with fire and started the blaze. "She's already said she was sorry," Christell said.

A smile appeared on Bridgett's tear-streaked face when she found her bicycle in the back yard and began riding in circles around her parents who were speaking to firefighters. Her puppy Bones galloped beside her.

Firefighters and police helped the family find lodging for Thursday night. The Red Cross and Salvation Army will provide clothing and furniture.

"We'll try to meet their emergency needs," said Ron MacCubbin of the American Red Cross. "We have kits for health and beauty aides and linen and towels."

Rebecca Davis of Campbell Realty, the company which owns the house the Meyers had been renting, said: "We just wanted to commend the firefighters and police who worked the fire. They were very efficient and understanding."

The Meyers know they will need clothing for themselves and their children as well as new beds and furniture.

The Salvation Army often helps fire victims find shelter and furniture. The Red Cross also has a furniture warehouse for families who need replacements after a disaster.

Maj. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army said big furniture items like kitchen tables, dressers and beds are often needed. "We'll get them clothes from the thrift store, but those are the biggest needs," he said.

Christell couldn't even go back inside the house to see the damage after the fire had been extinguished because she'd left in such a hurry she had no shoes. Firefighters cautioned the family about broken glass on the floors.

Firefighter Mark Hashheider said there was extensive damage to the front two rooms and minor damage to the second floor from water and smoke.

Kindness plea

Anyone who wants to help the Meyers should contact the American Red Cross at 335-9471 or Salvation Army at 335-7000, or call the Meyers' relative Bobby McAlister at (618) 661-1185.