Man Found Dead After House Fire in Town of Mamakating

A 64-year-old Bloomingburg man was found dead inside his home Tuesday night after a fire destroyed the structure on Linda Lane in the Town of Mamakating, state police said.

Troopers from the State Police Wurtsboro barracks responded at approximately 8:40 p.m. March 18 to a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, members of the Bloomingburg Fire Department advised troopers that an individual was believed to be inside the residence.

After the fire was extinguished, responders located a deceased male inside the home. The victim, identified as Yitzchak Vann, 64, of Bloomingburg, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation, a neighbor heard a loud noise outside and then observed the residence fully engulfed in flames. The neighbor immediately contacted 911. Investigators have preliminarily determined the fire originated in the vicinity of the kitchen. Vann was the sole occupant of the home.

The cause of the fire has not been officially determined. State police said the investigation remains ongoing and no evidence of criminal activity has been identified at this time.

The large-scale response drew fire and emergency medical resources from across Sullivan County and neighboring Orange County. Fire departments responding to the scene included:

Fire departments responding to the scene included the Bloomingburg Fire Department, Wurtsboro Fire Department, Rock Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Summitville Fire Company, Westbrookville Volunteer Fire Company, Bullville Fire Company, Pine Bush Fire House, Circleville Fire House, Walker Valley Fire Company and Otisville Fire Department.

Emergency medical services at the scene included Mamakating EMS, Rock Hill EMS, Hatzolah EMS and the Sullivan County Paramedic unit.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the State Police Wurtsboro barracks.

Image Credit: New York State Police