Fundraiser today for family that lost home in explosion
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 1 month AGO
Photo by Tyler Drechsel Firefighters battle a blaze at the Rathdrum home of Chris and Sara Lee on Oct. 28.
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | November 13, 2021 1:00 AM
A fundraiser is scheduled today to help a Rathdrum family who lost their home in a natural gas explosion last month.
“Not only does this help out this wonderful family but it gives the community, and North Idaho, a chance to pull together and show their North Idaho spirit,” said Sandra Cook, an organizer.
A silent auction is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rathdrum Community Center. It will benefit Chris and Sara Lee and their two children.
It will include many items, including a handmade baby quilt, gift certificates for restaurants and health programs, a breakfast basket and homemade crafts and food.
The auction will be going on at the same time as the Rathdrum Craft and Farmers Market, and many of the vendors are contributing to the auction.
“We need every opportunity we can to focus on something besides our own troubles, our own stress,” Cook said.
The Lees lost their home in the explosion on Oct. 28. A natural gas leak had been reported that morning when a contractor putting in cable bored through a natural gas line in their front yard.
Tyler Drechsel, fire marshal with the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District, said the afternoon of Oct. 28 that Avista secured the natural gas leak.
Drechsel said he was told that after NLFPD crews left, an Avista rep inspected the house.
He said shortly after power was turned back on to the house there was an explosion that knocked out windows and walls. A fire spread quickly through the home.
The house was considered a total loss.
The Lees and an Avista Utilities representative were in the house at the time. Chris Lee suffered burns to his arm, while Sara Lee escaped from the second floor of the home by climbing down a ladder with the help of a neighbor.
The Avista rep suffered first-degree burns to his neck.
A friend said the family is “working on moving forward and figuring out next steps.”
Cook said the Lee family is known for being very giving and the community wants to help them.
“Considering all that is going on, they’re doing OK,” she said.
Cook said the Rathdrum Craft and Farmers Market “is community-focused and we are doing what we can to help the community. Times are tough and stressful and I'm noticing the stress level going up again as the holidays are quickly approaching. We want to make a positive difference in the world and hopefully bring some joy to others.”
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