Red Hook Man Dies in House Fire
On April 21, 2021 at approximately 6:47am, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office responded along with the Red Hook Fire Department, Tivoli Fire Department and Northern Dutchess Paramedics to 78 Rokeby Road in the Town of Red Hook for a reported house fire with an occupant trapped.
First arriving deputy sheriffs attempted to make entry into the residence, however fire conditions prevented them from entering. Once firefighters arrived, they made entry into the house, located the occupant, and determined that he was deceased. The deceased occupant has been identified as 61-year-old John G. Boles IV.
An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is being conducted by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division and Red Hook Fire Department. Preliminary investigation indicates that the cause of the fire is accidental in nature and it is not considered suspicious. Investigators will be working with the Dutchess County Medical Examiner to continue the investigation.
The following also assisted at the scene: Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau, Fire & Arson Investigation Unit, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (drone) Unit; Red Hook Police Department; New York State Police; Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response; and fire departments from Rhinebeck, Milan, and Ulster Hose.
