Man Dead After House Fire in Missoula County

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Authorities say a 38-year-old man died after escaping a burning home but then running back inside for unknown reasons, possibly to retrieve car keys.

The Missoula County Sheriff's Department says Steve Steadele died in the fire reported about 6:40 p.m. Saturday at a home three miles up Butler Creek Road from Interstate 90. Missoula Rural Fire found the home fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

Police say Steadele's wife escaped without injury.

Detective Jason Johnson tells the Missoulian Steadele and his wife fell asleep with a rotisserie chicken cooking on an outside grill, but awoke to a flash of light.

The fire destroyed a shed and mobile home.