SHOKAN – State Police are continuing to investigate a barn fire and apparent suicide in the Town of Olive Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported at 3:44 p.m. at 3358 Route 28. The blaze consumed the large barn and a pick-up truck that was parked next to it.
The owner of the barn, who was found dead in the truck, was tentatively identified as Brett Sirois, 48, who was found in possession of a rifle, handgun and several rounds of ammunition at the time of his death.
There was also a large quantity of ammunition in the barn which exploded during the fire, leading first responders to initially believe there was an active shooter at the location. There was no evidence, though, that anyone was being fired upon.
State Police were assisted at the scene by Town of Olive and New York City DEP police, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, DEP and Ulster County emergency service units, fire departments from Olive, West Hurley and Phoenicia, Olive First Aid, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, Ulster County Fire Investigation Team, Ulster County Emergency Services Coordinator and state forest rangers.