Fund set up for family who lost home

A trust fund has been established to help a Topaz Ranch Estates family who lost their home to fire on Halloween night.

Phillip and April Slobogin and their three children were left homeless by the blaze.

The April K. Slobogin Family Assistance Fund was set up at Bank of America by family friends, Minden residents Levi and Sarah Shoda.

"We've known them for a couple of year," Sarah Shoda said. "We have two boys the same age."

She said friends and neighbors are rallying to help the family.

Donations may be made at any Bank of America.

Two separate fires at 1200 Slate Road destroyed the family's two-story home.

East Fork Fire Capt. Terry Taylor said Wednesday that the first fire started around the flue from the water and forced air heaters through the first and second floor at about 8:45 p.m.

"Over time the wood heated up and it lowered its ignition, it started a smoldering fire and eventually burst out into the basement area of the first floor," Taylor said.

He said he is still investigating the cause of the second fire in the house that occured early Sunday morning.

The Slobogins purchased the two-story home in 2005, according to the Douglas County Assessor's Office. The 1,290-square-foot home was built in 1996.