HANNIBAL, MO. -- A fire destroyed the home of a Hannibal soldier stationed overseas Monday afternoon.

The Hannibal Courier Post reports that Joby Daughtery has been in Afghanistan since June.

His wife Lara and their two kids have been living in the Grace Street home, that belonged to her parents, for more than a year. Fortunately, no one was home when the fire started, but most of the house suffered heavy smoke and water damage.

A next door neighbor spotted the fire and called 911 Monday.

Although no official cause of the fire is known, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Hampton said that it looks like it started in the basement.

The Daughtery's have a 10-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.

If you would like to help the family you can contact the Northeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross at  ( 573) 221- 0320  to find out what they need and how to help.