Police May ID Cause of Fire That Killed NY Family More than a month after a house fire killed a suburban New York police captain and most of his family, officials are expected to announce what caused the blaze. The police chief in Carmel says he'll report late Thursday on the findings of the investigation. An official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the fire was not criminal in nature. The May 1 fire in Carmel killed Larchmont Capt. Thomas Sullivan Sr.; his wife, Donna; and their two teenage daughters. A 20-year-old son escaped. The house, in a neighborhood of large homes 60 miles north of New York City, was quickly consumed in a fireball. Police said the blaze started near the front of the house. A coroner said the victims died from smoke and carbon monoxide.