GREENVILLE, NY – One person is dead and another on the run after a Second Alarm fire destroyed a Greenville, NY home just after 7 p.m. on August 6.  

As firefighters tackled intense flames, a deceased male was discovered inside the home. Upon additional investigation, New York State Police roped off the scene and issued a BOLO alert for a person of interest in what they are calling a homicide and intentionally set fire.  

Thomas David Ryan, age 32, has been named as a suspect in what is now being classified as a crirme scene. NYSP have described Ryan as a white male, approximately 6’ 2, 200-lbs., with a beard and mustache and last seen wearing a black tee shirt and black sweatpants. Ryan is reported to have been driving a 2016 gray Prius, plate #HNH07671. Police have warned that Ryan could be armed and dangerous and are asking anyone who sees this subject to use extreme caution, not approach, and call NYSP Middletown at 845-344-5300 or dial 9-1-1. 

Orange County firefighters reported during the Thursday evening fire that a next-door neighbor had called 9-1-1 at about 7:15 p.m. and had advised of heavy smoke and intense flames visible from their home. Upon arrival, emergency crews discovered that a residential structure at 512 Greenville Turnpike was completely engulfed in flames. A second alarm call was placed and brought multiple fire units from across Orange County to the scene and for standby. Emergency responders noted that despite prompt attention to the flames there was not much that could be done to save what was a fully engulfed structure upon their arrival.

Dozens of police, fire, EMS units lined the rural Greenville Turnpike below the home’s narrow, steep driveway entrance and hill, keeping a continuous supply of water from tankers to fire crews. Emergency crews remained on scene for many hours, fighting the single-family by-level house fire, preventing extension, and handling overhaul and fire scene investigation.

Officials say the discovery of a body in a fire, such as at this call, is always traumatic to everyone. This includes firefighters who are trained and skilled in handling all types of fire scenes. While all repsonders were reportedly fine and having handled the call professionally and with skill, Orange County Peer Support Services was reportedly planning to reach out to make sure all firefighters and other responders were okay, as is customary during any fatal or severe injury situation.

The identity of the victim, while known to officials, was not immediately released pending notification of family. The fire’s exact cause and surrounding situation remain under investigation into the following day, with officials still on scene as of the following morning.