HOGANSBURG — Authorities ruled Friday that the death of a 44-year-old man in an suspected arson fire was a homicide.

The body of Thomas L. Hathaway Sr., 44, was found by firefighters Wednesday morning while battling a fire at his North Helena Street home. Fire damage to the house was extensive. St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and Franklin County prosecutors declined to provide details into Mr. Hathaway's death.

"The investigation clearly reveals it is a homicide," Franklin County District Attorney Derek P. Champagne said. "I can't release details on why because we don't want to jeopardize the case. Some of the information would only be known by the assailant."

A St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police officer on patrol noticed flames coming from 306 N. Helena Road at 3 a.m. Wednesday and alerted emergency crews. Firefighters from Hogansburg, Bombay and Fort Covington responded to the fire.

State fire investigators and a state police forensic identity team went through the fire scene Friday continuing to look for the cause of the fire. About 20 tribal police officers and state troopers have been working on the case.

"With an arson, the investigation is a time-consuming process," Mr. Champagne said. "They have to recreate the scene because the fire destroyed some of the evidence."

Franklin County Coroner Brian S. Langdon said an autopsy done Wednesday night at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, by forensic pathologist Dr. Samuel A. Livingstone couldn't determine a cause of death. Toxicology and blood tests were pending.

Mr. Champagne said police are "following up on a number of leads" to identify possible suspects.

Anyone with information about the fire can call the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police at 1 (518) 358-9200.

(See obituary, B4.)