ATHOL, Idaho — A North Idaho family lost their decades-old home in the Sunset Fire on Wednesday, August 13.

"It took my place out in a couple hours, just up through the trees, and just everything was gone," Walter Anderson said. Anderson's home of 44 years was destroyed quickly — the family only had 30 minutes to grab everything when they evacuated Wednesday.

A sheriff told Anderson it was too late to save their home — the fire was too big, Anderson said.

The house was where Anderson had lived with his wife Linda for 44 years and raised their two children. His family is safe, but the house is only survived by his memories and his hobbies.

"We had a shop that we made over the years," Anderson said. "It was a welding shop and a machine shop."

Anderson's family started a GoFundMe to

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