Missouri couple in their 70s, their daughter, 37, and granddaughter, 18, are killed in four alarm house fire that gutted entire home

Four people members of the same family were killed in an eastern Missouri four alarm house fire on Sunday.

Fifteen fire departments were called to help put out thes inferno that overtook a De Soto home in the 500 block of Vineland School Road at 2.08am.

The De Soto Rural Fire Department said they arrived at the blaze just four minutes after dispatch, but it was too late to save the family that was so beloved and cherished in the community. 

Joe Detter, 76, and his wife, Frances Detter, 74, had just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this year when a four alarm fire broke out at their home

Sherri Detter , one of Joe and Frances' Detter seven children, and Kari Detter , one of the couple's grandchildren, also died in the inferno on Sunday morning

The remains of the Detter's family home are shown after a fire in De Soto, Missouri, on Sunday morning 

Joe Detter, 76, and his wife, Frances Detter, 74, their 37-year-old daughter Sherri Detter and 18-year-old granddaughter Kari Detter, were killed in the fire, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. 

James Detter, 49, of nearby Bloomsdale, is one of Joe and Frances Detter's seven children. He said he last saw the family members around 5pm Saturday, as they all put together baskets of donated items for an upcoming fundraiser.

'He helped everybody,' James Detter said of his father. 'There isn't a person in this town he hasn't done something for. He is going to be missed by everyone.'   

Authorities said they received a call from the residence saying the large home's second floor was completely clogged with heavy smoke.  

The family discovered the staircase connecting the second and first floors had been scorched - trapping them inside the home as the flames grew  

'Stairs to the second floor had burned through and firefighters had to use ground ladders to access the second story,' authorities said. 

Two men who were boyfriends of the younger women escaped by jumping from second-story windows, but suffered serious burns. The men were taken to burn centers in St. Louis for treatment.

Family members James Detter , Kelsey Detter   and Bill Lucas (far right) embrace outside the scene of a fire in De Soto, Missouri, on Sunday, October 11

The Detter's family home in De Soto, Missouri, was completely gutted by the house fire and residents left flower bouquets nearby 

Kelsey Detter embraces her father James Detter outside the scene of a fire in De Soto on Sunday

Kari Detter's boyfriend said that he woke up surrounded by flames, and that he had tried to get her to jump out of the second-story window with him.

'She wouldn't jump,' James Detter told St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 'He looked up and she was gone.' 

Authorities were eventually able to survey the interior of the home, where they found the deceased family. 

The fire was extinguished around 5 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

By morning light, the Detter's family home had become a shell of its former self. The blaze utterly destroyed the home, leaving behind charred debris, crumbling walls and a gutted interior. 

Family photos, an angel statue and vintage glass baskets that Frances Detter collected were in the ruins, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. 

'I'm still in shock... numb... and don't know how we are supposed to get through this. Please pray for us,' wrote Kimberly Detter, Kari's mother, on Facebook. 

Pictured: Frances Detter and Joe Detter photographed together before they died in a house fire on Sunday morning in De Soto

Family members said Sherri Detter , pictured with Joe Detter , was playful and loved ones referred to her as 'Sissy Sherri'

James Detter told St. Louis Post-Dispatch that his father held many jobs in the community over his 76 years, including building inspector for the City of Hillsboro, a police officer, restaurant manager and employee at General Motors.

Joe Detter also served in the Army National Guard, and held leadership roles in organizations like the De Soto Lions Club and Joachim Masonic Lodge in Hillsboro. 

In response, the City of Hillsboro released a statement noting Joe Detter's public service and dedication.

'The Detters’ legacy will be one of service to their community. The voids they leave will be felt by so many,' the statement read.

State Rep. Elaine Gannon of De Soto stopped by the home on Sunday with her husband, Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon, to offer condolences to the family.

'He wanted to do good. He wanted to make things better,' Gannon told St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

She added that Joe Detter helped her put up election signs despite previously running against her in the 2012 state representative race. 

Pictured: Kari Detter and Joe Detter photographed together before they died on Sunday morning in a four alarm house fire 

Family members look at the damage done to the house after a fire in De Soto, Missouri, on Suday

Hillsboro Mayor Buddy Russell also stopped by the home, and people left flower bouquets nearby.

Family members told the publication that Frances Detter was a quiet, yet diligent mother who gladly supported her husband, children and grandchildren.

Joe and Francis Detter had just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this year.

Sherri Detter was the youngest of the children and worked at the Jefferson County Election Authority office.

Sherri was known for being playful and funny, and loved ones would refer to her as 'Sissy Sherri,' St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. 

Kari Detter had just graduated from high school and was staying with her grandparents at their home. 

On Sunday, an American flag that had somehow escaped the house fire was lowered at half-staff.