Quick action keeps fire minor at Kalispell Grand Hotel

A Kalispell firefighter inspects damage to the northeast corner of the Kalispell Grand Hotel. A call came into dispatch about fire on the historic hotel's roof early Wednesday evening, and Kalispell Fire Department responded, along with Evergreen Fire Rescue and Flathead Electric. According to Kalispell Fire Chief Dave Dedman, the cause of the fire was a neon sign shortage. There were small flames on the roof, but they were put out quickly. There was minor damage to roof, no fire penetration inside, and a residual smoke smell on the third floor. The building was also evacuated during the emergency. Both lanes of traffic on Main Street southbound were blocked while firefighters responded. (Ryan Murray photo)