Winnipeg police are investigating what could be the city's 35th homicide of the year. If that is the case, it would break Winnipeg's record for murders in one year.
The man was found inside an apartment building which was on fire near Central Park. Police say the victim's injuries weren't caused by the blaze alone.
Brenda, a neighbour who lives across the street from where the fire was says the blaze broke out just after 2 a.m. Saturday.
She saw a man being pulled from inside the apartment building on Carlton Street. "They laid him on the sidewalk there and they were working on him," she said.
The man died in hospital from upper body injuries that police are considering suspicious. Members of the homicide and arson units are investigating.
"It appears they go beyond what type of injuries an individual would sustain as a result of a fire," said Const. Jason Michalyshen of the Winnipeg Police Service.
"I was surprised someone was in there," said Brenda. "Because no one has been living on that side for a good two years."
What wasn't surprising for neighbours is another fire. The building is still charcoaled from a blaze this summer.
"The roof hasn't been repaired, they do a bit of fixing, next thing you know another fire starts," said another neighbour, Fred.
Police say they don't know how the man got inside the empty building or how the fire started.
The victim's identity is expected to be released Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 786-8477.
-With a report from CTV's Ina Sidhu
