Jan. 27 -- A Sunday evening fire left the storefront of Kelly Rae's gas station, a neighborhood staple west of Kalispell, damaged.

Engine 934 from the Smith Valley Fire Department responded to the intersection of Batavia Lane and U.S. 2, where the gas station is located, shortly after the blaze was reported at 7:04 p.m. on Jan. 26. A water tender and ambulance accompanied the engine.

The fire was contained to a storage unit located at the rear of the storefront, but heavy black smoke billowed from all sides of the building, said Smith Valley Fire Chief Amy Bieck. The storefront suffered smoke and water damage.

The building was evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters, Bieck said. No one was injured in the blaze.

The gas pumps, shut off by employees, were unaffected by the fire.

Crews from the Kalispell, Marion, South Kalispell and West Valley fire departments provided mutual aid. Bieck said that the structure's size posed a challenge to crews, warranting help from other departments.

The Smith Valley crew cleared the scene around 2 a.m. The cause remains under investigation.

Attempts to call a phone number listed for the business went unanswered.

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].