EAST FISHKILL – Fire that
claimed the life of a 52-year-old woman at her home at 374 Augusta Drive
in Hopewell Junction over the weekend has been determined to have been
the result of an electrical fire in a wall.
East Fishkill Police Chief Kevin Keefe identified the victim on Tuesday
as Katherine Perez, who lived at the house. Her cause of death was determined
to be from smoke inhalation, he said.
The blaze was reported around 7 p.m. on Saturday. The first East Fishkill
Police officer on the scene found the building heavily involved by fire.
Two occupants, a 47-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, who lived on
the lower level of the home, were located.
Katherine Perez was believed to be home at the time, but was not located
outside.
Once the fire was brought under control and the house was searched, firefighters
located her body.
The East Fishkill Fire Department was assisted by a number of neighboring
departments.
The house was a total loss and the occupants were being assisted with
housing by the American Red Cross.
