Family loses everything in house fire

BONNERS FERRY — A family lost everything they owned in a house fire Sunday night.

Michael Phillips and Bonnie Hibble were renting the house on Upper Twin River Road, east of Moyie Springs, and believe a chimney fire from the woodstove spread to the whole house.

No one was home at the time of fire but they came back to the house on fire. Phillips and Hibble lived in the house with their two children, Austin, 6, and Kayla, 4, and Phillips’ sister-in-law, Christina, and brother-in-law, Brandon.

Hibble and the children were staying at their grandmother’s house when the fire occurred and only have the duffel bag of belongings they had with them.

According to Phillips’ grandmother, Nita Hilliard, the family lost everything, including Christina’s vehicle, dogs, ducks and chickens.

Phillips, a logger, lost all of his tools including his chainsaw, maul and splitting equipment for gathering firewood.

The family is staying with family and friends until they can find a place to rent.

Hilliard is accepting donations for the family. Both children are in need of warm winter clothing and winter gear (boots and coat). Austin is a size 6 and Kayla is a size 2 or 3. Mike and Brandon both wear large men clothing and Christina wears a women’s size 1-3.

To donate, contact Hilliard at 610-6025 or drop-off donations at her house immediately next to Dr. Geyman’s office.

A donation account is being set up at Panhandle State Bank under Hilliard’s and Phillips’s name.