A Philadelphia Fire Department engine at the scene of a blaze

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found dead inside a burning apartment in Philadelphia’s 2nd District, police announced on Friday, Aug. 8.

Just after 6 a.m., firefighters responded to a reported apartment fire on the 7200 block of Rockwell Avenue, according to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. Crews forced their way into a third-floor unit, where they discovered a small kitchen fire.

Inside the bedroom, they found a man’s body next to a knife, Small said. The victim had numerous lacerations to his arms, face, and neck, along with trauma to his face. Medics pronounced him dead at 6:37 a.m.

Two weapons were recovered at the scene. The Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit is leading the investigation, which is being treated as both a homicide and an arson, police said.

No further details about the victim or possible suspects have been released.

This is the second death in Pennsylvania this week being investigated as both a homicide and arson. Click here to read our latest report of double fatal fire involving gunshots to parents Jennifer Troch and Mike Shores.