BLANCHARDVILLE (WRN) - The owner of a burned out tavern in Blanchardville died while trying to save 3 others who were killed. Authorities said 45-year-old Daniel Hardekopf was found in a stairwell on the lower level of the three story building, and he died later at a Monroe hospital. His 44-year-old girlfriend Jelayne Hughes was found on the second floor apartment level, along with two of the couple’s mutual friends – 34-year-old Brian Monte and 23-year-old Cody Olson. The fire was reported just after 3:20 a.m. Monday in a building that housed the Silver Dollar Saloon, which Hardekopf and Hughes operated. The Wisconsin State Journal said Monte and Olson were staying in the couple’s apartment after a night of poker and watching football. Duane Hanson, the building’s insurer and a long-time friend, said Hardekopf leased the bar for a year-and-a-half. And he was in the process of buying the 106-year-old building. Hanson told the paper it was no surprise Hardekopf died while trying to save the others – because he’d sacrifice himself to help anyone. Damage could exceed $300,000. The fire was thought to have started on the second floor, but the cause has not been determined. Federal and state agents are helping local authorities investigate.