Amanda J. Purcell

Poughkeepsie Journal

BEEKMAN - State police are investigating the death of man who was apparently killed in a fire in the Town of Beekman Saturday.

The fire, which began around 7 p.m., destroyed a one-story home at 71 North White Rock Road.

As of noon Monday, spokeswoman Melissa McMorris said state police were still investigating the incident. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

"We had a fully involved structure upon arrival," Beekman First Assistant Chief Tom Kingsley said. A woman who was inside the home at the time the fire started made it out safely, Kingsley said.

According to state police, an initial investigation revealed that the homeowner reported to a neighbor that her house was on fire. When the homeowner went back to her house, her boyfriend was unaccounted for.

Firefighters later found the victim’s remains within the charred debris, state police said.

It is unknown at this time if the home had smoke detectors and if they were working, McMorris said.

Firefighters from Pawling, Patterson, East Fishkill and Lake Carmel assisted at the scene. Amstar EMS also assisted at the scene.

State police were assisted by the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office, New York State Electric and Gas and the New York State Department of Transportation.

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Twitter: @amandajpurcell