Friday fire leaves Houston family homeless

WASILLA — A young Houston family is reeling from a Friday fire that destroyed their uninsured home, but grateful of the community and church support they have received in the wake of the blaze that took all their possessions.

Houston fire crews were called to the home of Khyle and Annabell Dyer off Ballyshannon Drive near Prator Lake around 2:30 a.m. Friday to find the home “completely gone and on the ground,” according to Houston Fire Department Chief Tom Hood. He said Monday the cause of the fire was unknown. The Dyers and their two young daughters were out of town at the time.

Khyle Dyer said Monday the family headed to Kenai Thursday evening on a work-related trip and got a call from troopers at around 5 a.m. about the fire, which he said was called in by a neighbor.

Dyer built the 24-by-40 house himself, and said he was getting close to finishing the three-bedroom, two-bath structure.

“I had some Sheetrock work to do, but it was pretty much done,” he said. “We went back and looked at it Friday and it’s just all gone.”

The Dyers are currently staying with friends in Palmer, Khyle said, adding that he looks at his wife and two daughters — ages 3 and 16 months — and is thankful a decision was made Thursday that they all make the trip to Kenai.

“My wife had an appointment, so I had planned to go down there by myself on this trip,” he said. “But I had a feeling that we all should go so we changed the plans — I guess I would call it spiritual intuition. I am very thankful no one was in the house.”

Dyer’s sister, Diane Peer, is managing an effort to gather clothes, diapers and other sundries for the family, adding that they have received “great support” from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially the Willow congregation to which the Dyers belong.

“We are very, very thankful for all the support,” Dyer said.

Peer also has started an online crowdfunding page for donations to help the family get back on its feet and to help rebuild the house.

“They are doing OK on clothes right now, but the girls really could use some coloring books, crayons and markers. Gift cards are always good,” Peer said. “And Kyhle really could use some extra tools. He lost all his tools to the fire and he wants to rebuild.”

Peer said the last few days have been tough.

“They lost a lot, but they have a lot of family and friends for support,” she said.

To contribute to the family, visit youcaring.com/buildahome.dyerfamily. For other donations, contact Peer at (907) 795-2345 or email dianekdyer@gmail.com

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com