The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a Missoula man killed in a house fire Saturday.
Detective Jason Johnson said 60-year-old Steve Steadele died, possibly from smoke inhalation, when his home on Butler Creek caught fire Saturday evening.
Johnson said both Steve and his wife Dawn got out of the home when it caught fire around 6:30 p.m., but his wife told officials Steve returned inside, possibly to try and grab car keys, and didn’t come back out.
Fire investigators are still looking into the exact cause, but said it was an accidental fire.
Johnson said Sunday it appears the couple was using a barbeque grill and were taking a nap, when they heard popping sounds, but that has not been named the official cause of the fire at this point.
Fire inspectors investigated the area Sunday. They don't have an exact dollar amount yet for the damage done. They say the Steadele's were 10-year renters of the property, so they're waiting for the owner to speak with an insurance company.
Johnson expects an update on the exact cause, and more details next week.
At least seven local agencies, from as far away as Clinton, responded to the fire.
Neighbors told NBC Montana a fund for Steve's wife Dawn is set up at First Montana Bank in Missoula.
NBC Montana will keep you updated.




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