SAUGERTIES – A 48-year-old woman and her five dogs perished in a house fire early in the morning of May 28 at 638 Route 212 in Saugerties, police said.

The fire, which broke out at around 3:30 a.m., claimed the life of Li-Ann Gableman, formerly of the hamlet of Wallkill, and five dogs.

The origin and cause of the two-alarm fire in the multi-occupant residence is under investigation by Saugerties Police and the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit.

Shortly after the fire was reported, Saugerties police and Fire located and evacuated several occupants, but the body of Gableman was located on the second floor during fire suppression efforts.

Due to significant structural damage, the Dutchess County Special Operations Team was called in to assist in stabilizing the structure, allowing personnel to safely complete site operations and begin their investigation.

The Centerview Fire Department was assisted at the scene by departments from Glasco, Mount Marion, Ulster Hose, Saugerties, as well as Diaz Ambulance, Saugerties Police, Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit, Ulster County ASPCA, Ulster County Medical Examiner’s Office, Dutchess County Special Operations Team, and Red Cross.