Cause of fatal fire still under investigation

SOUTH BEND — Fire investigators are continuing to search for the cause of the blaze that killed a 51-year-old man early Monday morning. Richard Gaska died Monday from injuries he received in the fire at 410 N. William St., a four-unit apartment building that had been converted from a house. Today, Federico Rodriquez, investigative chief of the South Bend Fire Department, said a cause for the fire has not been determined. "We know that it started in the living room," Rodriquez said, "but we don’t know how." Rodriquez said materials from the home have been sent to the state fire investigator’s lab for analysis, a process that could take as long as a month. "We really have no leads on what started it," said Rodriquez, who also said arson has not been ruled out as a cause. Gaska, who lived in a first-floor apartment, was sleeping during the blaze and had to be rescued by firefighters. He later died at Memorial Hospital. All four apartments suffered damage from the fire along with smoke and water damage. Helen Gaska, Richard Gaska’s daughter, said her family was shocked by his death and are hopeful to learn more about the cause of the blaze. Helen described her father as a quiet man who was active in South Bend’s First United Methodist Church, where he attended Sunday services and weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. According to his obituary, he was the father of five children. Mary Hubbard, pastor at First United Methodist, said Gaska had attended the church for several years, but in the past year had become very faithful, attending twice on Sundays and showing up to various mid-week functions. "He was a quiet and sweet guy," Hubbard said. "He volunteered regularly at our downtown soup kitchen and at our food pantry, where he helped unload trucks." Hubbard said Gaska’s family told her that he graduated from LaSalle High School and had lived near downtown most of his life, often working in restaurant kitchens. She said Gaska, although he lived a quiet life that went mostly unnoticed by others, left a lasting impact at the church. "I know people here have cared very deeply for Rick," Hubbard said. "And they are going to stand by him through this as well." A memorial service is scheduled for Gaska at the church, 333 N. Main Street, at 2 p.m. Sunday, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. Staff writer Dave Stephens: dstephens@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6209