Tusten fire still being investigated

Investigators working nearly 24/7

By FRITZ MAYER

LAVA, NY — The cause of the raging blaze that totally destroyed a house on Route 25 in Lava is still under active and intense investigation, according to Sullivan County District Attorney Steve Lungen.

The fire, which occurred on December 13, and in which the body of 41-year-old Catherine Novak was found, was labeled suspicious from almost the first day of the investigation. At the time, investigators had trouble determining the cause of the fire because of the severity of the destruction. Reports indicated that one cause for suspicion was that the fire spread more quickly than most. Lungen would not confirm that, but he said that “the investigation of the fire and the medical examination have raised more questions than they’ve answered.”

He said his office, along with the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and other agencies, are actively investigating and some “have been working almost 24/7 on the investigation.” He said, “We want to do this right.”

Novak, who had two children under the age of 10 and was in the process of getting a divorce, sent the children the day before the fire to stay with their father in Glen Cove, LI. The family dog, which was initially thought to be missing, was ultimately found in the wreckage.

Novak was a well-known member of the community, participating actively in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Narrowsburg. Pastor Phyllis Haynes said Novak served on the church council, was in charge of church coffee hours and had taught Sunday School. Haynes said Novak was very active in her church before she moved here from New York City.

The loss was particularly significant for the church because her children also belonged, and since the fire have been staying with their father. The children, who had been enrolled in the Sullivan West School District, are Natalee, who is in fourth grade, and Nicholas, who is in Kindergarten.

Haynes said Novak was much loved by the congregation and her presence will be missed. Some 75 to 100 people turned out for her memorial service on December 20, 2008.

Novak was also a member of the Sullivan West Central School Board of Education from 2005 through 2007, and last spring was hired as a data specialist by the district.