State Police is Investigating a Fatal Fire in the Town of Hurley

On March 19, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., troopers from State Police Kingston responded to a report of a house explosion at Brueckner Lane in the town of Hurley. Upon arrival, troopers found the residence completely leveled and engulfed in flames. Multiple fire departments from Ulster County responded to the scene, along with fire investigators from Ulster County, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police, and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation revealed that the explosion resulted in the deaths of Ralph Brueckner, age 75, of West Hurley, and Cheryl Hathaway, age 58, of Poughkeepise, who both succumbed to injuries sustained in the blast.

The incident is currently under investigation by the New York State Police, with assistance from the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police Kingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-338-1702.

The State Police would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance: the West Hurley Fire Department, the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services, and the Hudson Valley of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.