HUDSON – A man who died on June 14 when the car he was in caught fire, has been identified as Rudy Martinez, 32, of the Town of Copake. His dog also perished in the fire in his Volkswagen.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was determined to be “inhalation of fire gases,” said Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett. He said the investigation indicates the cause of the fire was not suspicious; however, due to the extensive fire damage to the car, an exact cause cannot be determined at this time.
Sheriff’s investigators were assisted by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control with the fire investigation.
The investigation is continuing. Authorities are awaiting lab and toxicology reports.
