Priest River family loses everything in house fire
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 5 months AGO
A Priest River family was left homeless and lost all of their possession after an early morning fire on Jan. 6 gutted their apartment in Priest River. A GoFundMe account has been created to help the family. (Courtesy photo)
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | January 11, 2020 12:00 AM
PRIEST RIVER — Ciera Predmore and her fiance were upstairs asleep when they were awoken in the early hours Monday by her mom yelling up the stairs that the wood stove pipe was on fire.
The couple scrambled to act, but it was too late, the fire had spread to the attic and the family of four escaped with what they were wearing, their two dogs and three kittens. However, several other kittens and two bunnies did not survive the fire.
“My fiance and I tried to get water on it but once the flames hit the attic it was too late,” Predmore told the Bonner County Daily Bee. “We had to get out and get out fast cause it was going fast.”
The family lost everything in the fire and are currently staying at the Eagles Nest Motel in Priest River.
“We have nowhere to go,” she said. “No money, no food, no clothes, no cell phone to make calls.”
While the family escaped, all they could do was “stand there and watch everything burn,” Predmore said.
The family is currently staying at the Eagles Nest Motel in Priest River but are going day by day with the room. A GoFundMe account has been created by a friend to help raise the necessary funds to get the family into a new apartment and replace items lost in the fire.
“A Priest River family needs our help,” wrote page organizer Krista Wiebe.
Not only did the family of four barely escape the devastating fire, they lost everything they own from their phones to all their possession, including a tablet which was lifeline for her 7-year-old son who is autistic “and struggles more than most with catastrophe,” Wiebe said.
While the family is staying at the Eagles Nest, it is a temporary situation and is day to day. Since the page was created three days ago, it has raised $1,110 of its $5,000 goal
“Ciera is very grateful to everyone who has helped, donated or sent prayers,” Wiebe wrote in a Friday post. “We have had some really great donations.”
However, they are still seeking help with housing and are still saving donations for first and last month’s recent as well as a deposit.
Information: gofundme.com/f/yxebv-family-lost-all-to-fire
MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES
Community responds after family devastated by fire
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 5 years, 5 months ago
Year in Review: Court issues dominate January 2020
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 4 years, 5 months ago
ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER
ImageMaker owner killed, family critically injured in Montana collision
The owner of a downtown Sandpoint photography business was killed in a June 13 crash that also critically injured his wife and daughter.
Taking the reins: Horse ride caps students' fundraising
The horse ride became the big prize students could earn as part of this year's PTA fundraiser. Davis figured the students would hit the goal; they had yet to meet a challenge they couldn't tackle and this was a prize they wanted.
PACE's big vision
From ice rinks to pools and beyond, project puts community into center
It started with pools and ice rinks. But the proposed Ponderay Aquatic Center has become so much more, and the group behind the effort is hosting a community launch event next week to unveil the initiative and share short- and long-term plans with the public.