Investigation Underway After George Argento, of Brooklyn, and Yerim Goh, of Yulan, Died in Apartment Fire in the Town of Highland's Hamlet of Yulan
YULAN, NEW YORK (February 19, 2026) – Two people identified as George Argento and Yerim Goh have tragically died in a Yulan apartment fire at 10 Rustic Inn Lane.
Sullivan County officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:30 AM on February 12. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the apartment after getting a report of a fire.
They managed to locate two people inside of a first-floor apartment unit. Those people were later identified as George Argento and Yerim Goh.
Despite life-saving measures, both tenants were pronounced dead at the scene. The source of the fire has not been determined at this time.
However, investigators said that there were several space heaters observed inside of the unit. A full investigation into the apartment fire that killed George Argento and Yerim Goh remains ongoing.
Liability for Sullivan County Apartment Fires
Property owners in New York have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a safe condition. They must comply with all fire and safety codes. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action. There are many different ways that a property owner may have failed to adequately protect residents in the event of an apartment fire.
- Fire Detection: A property owner may have failed to install fire detection systems like smoke detectors.
- Egress: A property owner may have allowed key egress sites like fire escapes or hallways to become blocked.
- Electrical Systems: A property owner may have conducted improper repairs on key electrical systems.
- Compliance: A property owner may have failed to perform required fire inspections on all of their units.
Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be several sources of liability for any apartment fire. This includes the company responsible for creating a space heater or other consumer product. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Heating equipment caused one in six of the home structure fires (13 percent) that took place in 2016–2020.” A number of lawsuits have been filed against companies that manufactured faulty space heaters.
Steps to Take After Sullivan County Apartment Fires
Residential fires remain a major cause of death and injury across New York. Older adults and those with physical disabilities are particularly at risk. It has been estimated that roughly one-third of fatalities from residential fires involved a person aged 65 or older. A number of steps should be taken after any deadly apartment fire in Sullivan County.
- Building Records: All records related to the upkeep of the building should be carefully reviewed. These records could reveal major safety lapses.
- Evidence Preservation: The source of the fire should be determined, and all physical evidence related to that source should be carefully examined.
- Eyewitnesses: Any eyewitnesses that may have seen what happened should be contacted as soon as possible.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a Sullivan County apartment fire should carefully consider their legal options with a team experienced in premises liability law and product liability claims.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after being injured in any residential fire. Victims may suffer traumatic injuries that impair their ability to work or even perform daily tasks. Unfortunately, apartment owners and product manufacturers will virtually never accept responsibility if somebody is seriously injured or killed in a fire. This is why it is so important that these incidents are thoroughly investigated by an independent party.
Investigating Sullivan County Apartment Fires
We at Richmond Vona extend our deepest condolences to the families of George Argento and Yerim Goh. Any person who may have more information about what happened should contact investigators. There needs to be a full investigation so that similar tragedies can be averted.
Do you need more information about a Sullivan County apartment fire? Our team of experienced accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that all liable parties are held to account in the event of an apartment fire. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at 716-500-5678.
