Authorities identify victims of fire at lodge

FORT SMITH, Mont. – Authorities have released the names of three people who were killed in a fire that destroyed several buildings here early Sunday.

The victims were Ed Gohlke, 60; Linda Kopp, 58; and Susan Koeppe, 53.

The three were roommates in Glendale, Wis., said Big Horn County Coroner Terry Bullis.

Gohlke died of a “cardiac event,” and Kopp and Koeppe died of smoke inhalation, Bullis said.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Gohlke and Kopp were married.

The three were guests at a fishing lodge that was partially destroyed in the fire, and were in their room at the lodge when they were killed, he said.

Seven other motel guests were able to escape.

The fire, which was reported at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, also destroyed the adjacent Yellowtail Market and the Bighorn Trout Shop.

Its cause remains under investigation.

“It appears that it may have started in the motel section, but that’s yet to be determined,” Bullis said.