SMALLWOOD — Multiple fire departments responded to the scene of a structure fire in Smallwood on Monday last week which left one person dead and displaced another family.

A dispatch call went out from the Sullivan County 911 Center around 9:45 p.m. on April 26 for a reported structure fire at 1240 State Route 17B. The Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department arrived and was assisted by the White Lake Volunteer Fire Company and the Rock Hill F.A.S.T team.

Local fire officials declined to comment about the incident citing an ongoing investigation by the New York State Police.

According to State Police Public Information Officer Steve Nevel, Mongaup Valley resident Linda M. Romera, 68, was removed from the apartment where life-saving measures were performed. EMS transported Romera to Garnet Medical Health Center-Catskill where she succumbed to her injuries.

According to Nevel, the fire appears to be accidental and there are no signs of foul play. The cause of death appears to be smoke inhalation.

For resident Debra Nesin and her husband, it's the second time a fire at this location has displaced them from their home. She said a fire destroyed their building seven years ago and it had to be rebuilt.

“We lived on that property and lost everything,” Nesin said.

They don't have to rebuild everything this time, but there's extensive smoke damage to Nesin's apartment which is on the other side of Romera's.

Nesin said they have renter's insurance and are staying in a motel with some help from the American Red Cross.

“We're blessed that we're alive and our animals are okay,” Nesin said.