GALLUPVILLE, N.Y. - The identity of the victim in Saturday's fatal fire has been revealed as 59-year-old James G. Claus, authorities report.
The fire occurred on Saturday afternoon at approximately 3:55 p.m. on Route 443 in the Hamlet of Gallupville.
Volunteer firefighters from the Gallupville Fire Department were called to the home on Saturday by Claus' friends.
Claus was found deceased, sitting in a burning chair. Fire officials say the blaze was contained to the chair.
Claus' death is being ruled as accidental. An autopsy Sunday morning at Ellis Hospital revealed that Claus' death was the result of massive third degree burns to his body.
Investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
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