Ferndale family loses home after Monday fire rekindles

A Ferndale family’s home was destroyed in a fire that ignited Monday night and rekindled Tuesday morning.

According to Ferndale Fire Chief Ken Sharr, the fire on Old South Ferndale Drive was reported at 6:50 p.m., Monday night.

“It did a lot of damage to the structure, but we managed to save a lot of contents,” Sharr said. “We hit it quickly and the crew did an excellent job.”

However, the older structure had several hot spots and one rekindled later, Sharr said.

“There was evidently an ember that was left and the winds were up that night,” Sharr said. “We were called back about five hours later.”

The two occupants of the home were not injured, but the structure is a loss.

Sharr said the fire likely started from a heat lamp used to keep kittens warm in the extreme cold.

“It was a heat lamp close to combustibles,” Sharr said.

The homeowners who were displaced are Gary and LeAnn Moon. Gary works a Denny’s Barber Shop in Bigfork. The shop was acting as a hub for donations for the Moons on Wednesday, though they were still in the needs assessment mode, according to shop staff.

Donations can be mailed to Denny’s Barber Shop, attention Gary Moon, at 8111 Montana 35, Bigfork, 59911. People with other questions about how to help can call 406-837-5353.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.