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Last updated on Friday, January 24, 2014
(SALEM) - A Salem family lost their home and all their belongings in a house fire Thursday morning.
56-year-old Lous Smith lived at the home at the corner of Marrs Road and Broadway with her two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and 3-month old granddaughter.
The Leader-Democrat reports that 29-year-old Billy Smith says the family went to bed around midnight and woke just before 3 a.m. to his mother yelling the house was on fire.
Billy tired to put out he fire which was in the ceiling area of his mother's bedroom. Billy then thought he better get outside and that is when he noticed the whole side of the home was on fire.
He, his mom and younger brother, 18-year-old Harley, all got out safely. His wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Jackie, were staying elsewhere because the home, an old log cabin, was difficult to heat.
Salem Fire Chief Tom Day says firefighters arrived at 2:45 a.m. to find the home engulfed in flames. He says there was little firefighters could go to save the home or salvage any belongings.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The family has lost everything and do not have insurance. The Red Cross arranged for the family to stay at the Salem Motel and gave them a voucher so they could get some clothes.
Anyone who would like to help may drop items or cash off at the Salem Police Department. Here are the sizes for each family member:
A fund has also been established at First Harrison Bank, the Smith Family House Fire Benefit
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