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Body found at scene of Milwaukee fire

Posted at 8:01 AM, May 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-27 13:38:42-04

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee firefighters discovered a body at the scene of a fire Friday morning, according to police. Right now, they're calling it a death investigation.

The firefighters were called to the 6300 block of W. Appleton Avenue around 5:00 a.m. Friday for a report of a fire. When they got there, they found a dead man in the alley right behind Rock of Ages, a business that makes headstones.

A neighbor driving to work saw the fire in the alley and called 911. 

Steve Henschel has worked at Rock of Ages for 13 years. He says, "You're wigged out about it. Then you find out there was a fire. It's a little shocking. It's not your average Friday morning.''

The employees at the headstone shop say when they left yesterday evening,  the alley was empty, but drivers use the alley all the time.

"There are garages all around the corner, so people come in and out of here all the time," Henschel says.

The employees at Rock of Ages say crime is not unheard of in the neighborhood, but
they never thought a body would be discovered behind the business.

Police are still trying to identify the body. They are asking if anyone was jogging or driving to work early Friday  morning near 64th and Moltke to contact police.