OBERNBURG — A 77-year-old North Branch man died Friday evening after a fire destroyed a home on Banaut Road in the Town of Fremont, according to New York State Police.

State Police said troopers from the Narrowsburg barracks responded to the scene at approximately 5:31 p.m. on March 13 after a passerby reported seeing the residence on fire. The individual attempted to approach the home but was forced to retreat due to the intense heat. Nearby residents also called 911.

Fire departments from across the region responded to the blaze, including the Callicoon Fire District, Jeffersonville Fire Department, Roscoe Rockland Fire Station, Callicoon Center Firehouse, Hortonville Fire Company, North Branch Volunteer Fire Company and the Hankins Fire Department, along with Sullivan County fire officials.

When emergency responders arrived, they were told a resident might still be inside the single-family home. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, responders located a deceased man inside the residence.

Authorities identified the victim as Dennis R. Banaut, 77, of North Branch.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire originated near a wood-burning stove, police said. At this time, investigators have found no evidence of criminal activity. The investigation remains ongoing pending the analysis results.

See obituary, page 2B.