By Howard Koplowitz
Steve Korovich, 51, was found by firefighters sitting in a chair when they responded to the blaze at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Battalion Chief Joseph Callan said at the scene. Korovich was already dead when firemen arrived to the one-family home on 91st Avenue by 89th Street.Korovich's family declined to comment, but a neighbor who did not give her name said Korovich lived alone and was a smoker.The neighbor said Korovich's wife died from cancer about six weeks ago. “I was best friend's with his wife,” she said. “She was the lifeblood of the household. She kept a beautiful home.”She said she last spoke to Korovich at the funeral.”He was grieving,” the neighbor said. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to put out the blaze, which was under investigation, Callan said. About four fire trucks responded.”The firemen really saved the neighborhood. They came in record time,” the neighbor said. “These wood houses would've been lit up like matchboxes.”She said she saw smoke coming out of the upper windows of the home but did not see any flames.The neighbor said she was also concerned that Korovich's cat was trapped inside the home.A crowd gathered on 91st Avenue about 30 minutes after the fire erupted but those interviewed said they were not around when it started.The neighbor said Korovich was retired and that his wife supported the family. Korovich leaves behind two grown children.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
