YULAN, NY — New York State Police are investigating a fatal apartment fire that killed two people early Feb. 12.
Troopers from SP Liberty and members of the Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to 10 Rustic Inn Lane, Apartment 3, in the hamlet of Yulan, Town of Highland, Sullivan County, at approximately 2:33 a.m. after Sullivan County 911 advised of two apparent fatalities inside the residence.
The victims have been identified as George L. Argento, 65, of Brooklyn, and Yerim Goh, 62, of Yulan.
Both individuals were located inside the first-floor apartment and were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Fire departments from Sparrowbush, Yulan, Narrowsburg, Lava, and the City of Port Jervis responded to the scene.
Preliminary investigation conducted by fire investigators indicates the fire originated in the northwest corner of the apartment.
The decedents were located in close proximity to one another in a first-floor room.
Several electric space heaters were observed inside the residence.
The structure is a three-apartment building.
An autopsy was performed Feb. 14 at Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills.
The cause of death for both individuals was determined to be smoke inhalation and thermal burns.
The manner of death is not considered suspicious at this time.
Investigators interviewed occupants of the adjoining apartments and conducted a neighborhood canvas.
No evidence of criminal activity has been identified.
The investigation remains ongoing pending final fire analysis.
The New York State Police were assisted at the scene by local fire departments, the Sullivan County Coroner’s Office, and the Sullivan County Fire Investigation Unit.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the New York State Police at SP Liberty.
