Columbia Falls fire leaves family of 13 homeless

A Friday night house fire in rural Columbia Falls left two parents and 11 children homeless.

The fire was reported at 65 Sandy Hill Terrace around 8 p.m. The Shestak family was at church when the fire started and by the time they arrived home, smoke was too heavy to retrieve anything.

Neighbors said the fire started in the back of the home.

Tanya Shestak, sister-in-law of the property’s renters, Julia and Alex Shestak, said the blaze destroyed everything inside the house.

“The whole family, praise God, survived, but they were not able to save anything,” Tanya Shestak said. “From top to bottom to A to Z, they need everything. They don’t have furniture, any place to live.”

The family, which includes children from three to 19 years old, is now divided among other family members’ homes.

Shestak said the family wants to express thanks to everyone who helped put out the fire, including Columbia Falls, Whitefish, West Valley and Evergreen firefighters. The Red Cross arrived shortly after the fire to help the family.

A GoFundMe account was set up within two hours of the fire for the family with a goal of raising $50,000. As of Saturday afternoon, donors had given more than $5,000. People can contribute at https://www.gofundme.com/6s7u8nxw.

Alex Shestak thanked all those who have given and the Whitefish School District for all of its assistance.

“From the bottom of our hearts thank you everyone,” Alex Shestak said.

Donations are being accepted at 99 Sandy Hill Terrace. People can call 406-309-5774 or 406-261-1241 for more information.