Corpse Found in Bronx, New York Apartment Blaze

March 11, 2004 -- A man whose body was found in a burning Bronx apartmentlast night was killed before the fire was set, authorities said.

Firefighters discovered the body of Silverio Esteves, whose age was not released, in the basement apartment at 1740 Adams St. in Morris Park at around 5:45 p.m. He appeared to have suffered head trauma, police said.

There were two fires set inside the apartment. One was in the kitchen area and the other was in a rear bedroom, sources said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Esteves lived alone and police had no motives or suspects in the killing.

About 60 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was extinguished in less than an hour. Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.