West of Kalispell–at the Batavia Road intersection with Hwy 2, Kelly Rae’s Gas Station and Convenience Store (pictured, in better times) brought out the Smith Valley Fire Department Sunday morning that did a lot of damage, but it could have been far worse.
When firefighters arrived, they put up protection barriers for the gas pumps and propane tank, keeping the out of the fire’s reach. Black smoke was coming out of all sides of the building and the roof line, too. The worst of the fire was in an attached storage unit.
There’s a lot of smoke and water damage, but nobody was injured. The Smith Valley Department received mutual aid from the Kalispell, West Valley, Marion and South Kalispell Fire Departments.
