Displaced family gets help from work

One of the families displaced by a fire in Post Falls on Sunday is receiving unexpected help from co-workers.

Lisa Kincel Johnson, the director of community relations at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, opened a donation account for Mike and Kim Anderson on Monday morning after several employees asked how they could help the displaced family. Kim Anderson works in the hospital’s community relations department.

“We wanted to see if we could help in the best way possible,” said Johnson.

The Andersons’ rental home at 1120 W. Deschutes caught fire Sunday afternoon, shortly after their neighbors’ back deck went up in flames.

The Andersons’ home and another house, belonging to James and Tokiko Cook, were destroyed.

The Andersons didn’t have renter’s insurance and are staying with family. Mike Anderson returned to the charred home Monday morning to salvage the few items he could.

“I didn’t expect so much damage,” he said.

The American Red Cross offered assistance to both families. The Cooks, who have insurance, have been provided lodging for at least three nights but could not be reached for comment.

“After that, we determine what their needs are,” said Kerren Vollmer, Red Cross district director.

The cause of the fire was unknown Monday, but officials said in a press release that wind and heating of the vinyl siding on both homes due to high air temperatures appeared to be factors in the quick spread of the fire from one home to the next.

Donations can be made at any U.S. Bank to the Mike and Kim Anderson Fund.