A family of five lost their home in a fire on Whitefish Stage Road north of Kalispell Thursday night.

Local family loses home to fire

West Valley, Evergreen, South Kalispell and Smith Valley fire departments were called shortly after 8:30 p.m. Everyone had escaped unharmed but a bedroom was nearly lost by that time. The family could not reach a shed to rescue their pets, who reportedly died in the fire.

Officials reported that a heater under the mobile home had started the blaze.

A fund has been set up at Glacier Bank to help the family, and clothing donations are being accepted elsewhere. The family's three children are in second, sixth and 10th grades.