COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Friends, family, neighbors and strangers have been helping members of a western Iowa family who lost their home to a fire on Christmas Day. The family of Mary Pierson and her husband had been celebrating Sunday morning when they noticed a smoky smell. They soon found the attached garage was in flames. The family members fled the house safely. They turned to watch as flames consumed it, their possessions and their new presents inside.

Pierson told Omaha, Neb., television station KETV that she wanted someone to slap her and tell her it was a bad dream. But soon, people began stopping by with offers of money, clothing, replacement presents and other help. The fire cause is being investigated.