An apartment fire taking place early Saturday morning resulted on a homicide investigation. Below is a press release from the Sacramento Police Department:

The Sacramento Police Department is investigating the murder of a 50-year-old male found during the response to an apartment fire.

On August 7, 2010, at 2:46 a.m., the Sacramento Fire Department responded to the 900 block of North Avenue on an apartment fire. Fire personnel discovered a deceased male inside the apartment. Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, the Fire Department called Sacramento Police for assistance. While Fire and Police personnel were at the scene they were notified of a second small fire in the stairwell of the same apartment complex.

Homicide detectives, Crime Scene Investigators, and Fire Arson Investigators responded to the scene. Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe that the male was murdered. The cause of death and the motive for the murder has yet to be determined. The apartment fire and stairwell fire are believed to have been intentionally set.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000