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Gary Hickey and his daughter Lynne Hickey, 13, were away from their rented Burnside Road house trailer when a person saw smoke seeping out of the backside.

About 20 firefighters were on the scene; the Deerfield Township Fire Department was assisted by both North Branch and Columbiaville, said Deerfield Township Fire Chief Louis Wiegele.

"When we got there, the man who owns the trailer was holding down the fire with a garden hose," said Deerfield Fire Lt. Jeremy Compau, the incident commander. "That really helped out."

Firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes. It's thought the old-style trailer is a complete loss. It's suspected the incident began in the bedroom when an electrical outlet sparked and caught a mattress on fire.

"We're estimating about a $35,000 loss," Wiegele said. "The guy lost everything. They were renting and there's no insurance."

Lapeer County Sheriff's Department deputy Bill Osborne, who lives nearby, happened to be getting ready for work when the flames became visible.

"He was on the scene when the fire started," Compau said. "He went to work and came back with his pastor."

Deerfield fire officials were unable to locate the Hickeys, whose cell phone wasn't working. The father and daughter had no idea they would return from their outing and find themselves homeless.

"They came back home more than an hour afterÊ we'd cleared the scene," Compau said. "He was pretty upset. He kept saying he lost everything. I just kept telling him 'you still have your daughter.' But the shock of coming home and seeing that would upset anyone."

Though the father and daughter have only lived in the home a year, neighbors treated the two like family.

"Times are tough, but everyone pitched in," Compau said.

Osborne and his wife took the two into their home until they're able to find an apartment.

"Several of the neighbors -- they want to remain unanimous -- got together and took up a collection," Osborne said. "The First Baptist Church in North Branch is helping. The North Branch Thrift Shop offered to open their shop after hours. The Red Cross was there."

The family is in need of summer clothing, dishes and furniture. If you can help, phone Osborne at (810) 688-3553 or the Deerfield Township offices at (810) 793-6700.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com.