Authorities identified the Kalispell man who died in a fire that ripped through a roofing business on July 28 as 76-year-old Steven Adam Gaikowski.  

Gaikowski’s body was recovered from the remains of Neu-Tech Roofing's metal warehouse, which was deemed a total loss.  

The cause and manner of Gaikowski's death is still under investigation, according to Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino.  

Gaikowski is listed as the owner of the 125 Fenn Way property, according to Montana Cadastral.  

The Flathead County Sheriff's Detective Division is working with Smith Valley Fire Department and the Flathead County Fire Investigation Team to determine the cause and origin of the fire.  

The blaze was first spotted by landscapers at a forthcoming park just south of the property. They rushed over to the burning warehouse and attempted to rescue the victim trapped inside, according to Smith Valley Fire Chief Amy Beick.  

Kalispell Fire Department was dispatched at 9:49 a.m. Smith Valley Fire arrived as mutual aid at 10:20 a.m. after responding to another incident.  

Crews were told that a person was potentially inside the structure, but the metal warehouse was already engulfed in flames when they arrived.  

Firefighters battled the blaze until it was brought under control about 11:45 a.m. Crews remained at the scene for mop-up operations until 5:15 p.m. 

More than 30 firefighters and law enforcement officers responded to the scene, according to Smith Valley Fire officials. Responding agencies included Kalispell, South Kalispell, Evergreen, Smith Valley and Whitefish fire departments.  

Northwest Montana United Way Executive Director Jodie Cross helped coordinate donations of pepperoni pizzas from Little Caesars and ice from Smith's Food and Drug in Kalispell to support crews working at the scene.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.