One man found dead in Belchertown house fire 

Staff Report

Published: 07-13-2023 11:36 AM

BELCHERTOWN — Fire officials are investigating the cause of a house fire on Daniel Square that claimed the life of one resident early Monday afternoon, according to the state fire marshal’s office.

The Belchertown Fire Department was notified at around 12:20 p.m. of a fire in the area of 42 Daniel Square, where firefighters found a single-story home in flames, with heavy smoke venting through all windows and heavy fire showing in the rear of the home. Firefighters battled the blaze for about two hours before bringing it under control.

Firefighters “immediately mounted an aggressive exterior attack, then moved inside until conditions forced them from the building,” according to local and state fire officials. The fire went to two alarms and firefighters from Amherst, Bondsville, Granby, Ludlow, Palmer, Pelham, Three Rivers and Westover responded to provide mutual aid.

The adult male, the only person home at the time, was found dead inside.

Authorities believe the victim in the fatal fire is Wesley Korenewsky, who lived at the house, said Laurie Loisel, a spokeswoman for the Northwestern district attorney’s office.

The office of the chief medical examiner will determine his identify, as well as the exact cause and manner of the man’s death.

“On behalf of the Belchertown Fire Department, I want to express our sincere condolences to the man’s family,” said Belchertown Fire Chief John Ingram in a statement Monday night. “This is a sad day for them and our community.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Belchertown Fire Department, Belchertown Police Department, Hadley Police Department, State Police assigned to the state fire marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Northwestern district attorney’s office. They were supported at the scene by the Belchertown Department of Public Works and the Department of Fire Services’ Special Operations team.

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