MONROE - Among the many items the Sam and Beth Price family lost in a house fire June 23 were the presents they had purchased for their son's birthday.

Malachi Price will be 6 years old on Saturday.

The early-morning fire caused extensive damage to the Monroe home. The family escaped safely, but two cats died in the fire.

The blaze gutted the kitchen and damaged the living room. Significant smoke damage claimed the rest of the first floor and a second-story bedroom, where Sam Price said they had Malachi's presents, as well as all of Malachi, Beth and Sam's clothes.

"Everything in the living room was so damaged with smoke that appraisers told us it was irreplaceable. Nothing can be restored," Sam said Tuesday.

"Our bed and Malachi's bed had to be thrown out," because of the heavy smoke damage, Beth said.

An assistance fund has not been set up yet, but "Sam is doing the job of collecting things for us," Beth said.

Items the family needs most include:

• Girls' clothes, sizes 1-2 juniors, 9 juniors and 13 juniors

• Boys' clothes, size 7

• Men's clothes, size 34x34 pants and XXlong shirts

• Women's clothes, size 4X

• Towels and bedding

• Kitchen appliances

Those wishing to contribute to the family may contact Dawn Bires at 325-2260 for more information.