Trailer fire leaves family of five homeless

A family of five is homeless after their trailer home was destroyed in a Monday morning fire.

The fire at 99 Eagle Mountain Way in the Truman Creek drainage was reported at 8:54 a.m. By the time initial firefighters arrived at the scene, they  encountered a “fully involved trailer fire,” Smith Valley Fire Chief Randy Feller said. “It was gone when they called it in.”

Steve and Michelle Scheffler and their three children — ages 9, 7 and 4 — were not home at the time.

Feller said the couple’s landlord, who lives next door, said the fire started in the vicinity of a wood stove and that is believed to be the cause of the fire. The South Kalispell and West Valley fire departments assisted in the response.

A family friend, Daphne Hamilton, said the family lost two pets and all of its clothes, food and furniture.

“They lost everything this morning,” said Hamilton, who is organizing a relief effort for the family.

Those interested in donating cash, clothing or furnishings to the family should contact Hamilton at 260-1908.