SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (CatskillsNewsCenter.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — State police are working to piece together the final moments of a quiet winter morning in Yulan after a devastating house fire claimed two lives. The blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. on February 12 at a three-unit apartment building on Rustic Inn Lane. When troopers and local fire crews from five different departments arrived at the scene, they found a heartbreaking situation in Apartment 3, where two residents were discovered inside and later pronounced dead.
The victims have since been identified as 65-year-old George L. Argento of Brooklyn and 62-year-old Yerim Goh of Yulan. Investigators say the pair were found close together in a room on the first floor. Following autopsies conducted at Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, officials confirmed that both Argento and Goh died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns. While the loss is felt deeply by the local community, police noted that the deaths do not appear to be the result of any foul play.
Fire investigators spent the days following the tragedy combing through the charred remains of the apartment, eventually tracing the origin of the fire to the northwest corner of the residence. While a final determination is still pending, investigators did note that several electric space heaters were being used throughout the home. Neighbors and residents in the adjoining apartments were interviewed as part of a standard canvas, but authorities say there is currently no evidence of criminal activity linked to the incident.
The response to the emergency was a massive coordinated effort, drawing in support from the Sullivan County Coroner’s Office, the county’s fire investigation unit, and crews from as far as Port Jervis. Although the initial findings suggest this was a tragic accident, the New York State Police investigation remains open until the final fire analysis is complete. Anyone who might have additional information about the events of that morning is encouraged to reach out to the State Police barracks in Liberty.
