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.

The family members’ clothing sizes are:

•  Size 3T clothing and size 9 shoes for a 3-year-old boy.
•  Size 6-7 clothing and size 13 shoes for a 6-year-old boy.
•  Size 10-12 clothing and size 3 shoes for and 8-year-old girl and a 9-year-old girl.
•  Size 10-12 clothing and size 7 shoes for a 12-year old boy.
•  Size 8-10 clothing and size five shoes for an 11-year-old boy.
•  Size 12-14 clothing and size 7/8 shoes for a 14-year-old girl.
•  Large shirts, size 32 pants, and size 10 shoes for a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy.
•  Extra-large shirts, pants, and skirts for an 18-year-old girl and her mother. The girl wears size 8.5 shoes and the mother wears size 10 shoes.

 The father wears extra-large shirts and 34/30 pants. He wears size 10.5 shoes.

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