YULAN — Two people died early last Thursday after a fire tore through a first-floor apartment at 10 Rustic Inn Lane in the hamlet of Yulan, according to the New York State Police. The blaze was reported at approximately 2:33 a.m. on February 12 in the Town of Highland.

Troopers from State Police Liberty and members of the Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded after Sullivan County 911 advised of two apparent fatalities inside the residence. Fire departments from Sparrowbush, Yulan, Narrowsburg, Lava and the City of Port Jervis were dispatched to the scene.

The victims were identified as George L. Argento, 65, of Brooklyn, and Yerim Goh, 62, of Yulan. Both were located inside the first-floor apartment and were pronounced deceased at the scene.

An autopsy performed February 14 at Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills determined the cause of death for both individuals to be smoke inhalation and thermal burns. Authorities said the manner of death is not considered suspicious at this time.

Preliminary findings from fire investigators indicate the fire originated in the northwest corner of the apartment. The two decedents were found 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. 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.

Responding agencies include: New York State Police (SP Liberty and the Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation); the Yulan Fire Department; Sparrowbush Fire Department; Narrowsburg Fire Department; Lava Fire Department; City of Port Jervis Fire Department; the Sullivan County Coroner’s Office; and the Sullivan County Fire Investigation Unit.