Fatal Apartment Fire

Investigators have identified the victim as 33-year-old Dennis Reeves and right now, an accidental death has been ruled out. "I was shocked... I didn`t expect this at all." Lowell firefighters were dispatched at 7:26 Thursday morning to this apartment-- The Links At Lowell-- located at 317 Birdie Lane, Apartment 103. Officials say when they arrived, flames and smoke were only coming out of this unit, but after they put the fire out, they found the body of 33-year-old Dennis Reeves. "Obviously fire and police approach it always, first as if it`s a homicide," says Lowell Mayor Phil Biggers. Officials say they do not know how or why Reeves` body was inside the front bedroom closet or even how the fire started. Investigators are waiting on the results of an autopsy. But right now, officials say Reeves` death has been ruled suspicious, so details into the investigation are limited. Residents say what happened Thursday morning. "When I was leaving for work, I walked out and there was fire coming out of the window from downstairs and people screaming for help," says Geidy Ruano, who lives in the same complex as Reeves. Elijah Patton was Reeves neighbor. "The cops were here, the fire department was everywhere.. Everybody was knocking on doors trying to get everyone out." Residents say they rarely saw anyone going in or out of Reeves` apartment. And while this complex has been quiet, Reeves` death has definitely shaken them up. Ruano says, "I just want to leave. I have a three-year-old and I need to be somewhere so she can be safe." Police say they do not have anyone in custody for Reeves` death. The last fire death in Lowell happened over three years ago.