Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was found dead in a burning tent in Salford.
The incident is being treated as suspicious, the force confirmed today.
The body of 23-year-old Daniel Smith was found in burning tent on Irwell Street in Salford at 1.20am on Wednesday 20 January.
Firefighters from Manchester were called to the scene by a man who made a 999 call, saying a tent was on fire underneath a railway arch, next to the New Bailey car park.
They extinguished the blaze but discovered Daniel’s body inside the tent and called police.
Police initially believed the fire could have started accidentally.
But blood was found inside the tent.
And the Daniel was found with a number of severe wounds and injuries that detectives believe happened before he died.
Specialist officers are now providing support to Daniel’s family.
Police remain at the scene on Irwell Street in Salford – By David Minshull
A Home Office post mortem revealed the 23-year-old died from multiple injuries.
Detectives are now investigating the possibility that Daniel may have been attacked before being set ablaze, or that the fire could have been used to cover the tracks of potential attackers.
Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, the divisional commander for Salford and Trafford, called a press conference this afternoon.
She said: “Our enquiries over the past 24 hours have found that this man suffered a number of injuries before his body was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday in a tent following a fire and our thoughts are with Daniel’s family and friends at this terrible time.
“We have been carrying out a joint investigation with the Fire Service to establish the cause of this fire, which is now being treated as a deliberate ignition.
“We believe the answers to our questions about what happened to this man lie in the community, particularly other members of the homeless community who may have been nearby at the time.
“Someone must have seen, or heard something so we are appealing for anyone with even the smallest bit of information to come and tell us what they know.
“This is a tragic situation, and we are working with other agencies to assist the local community. We are determined to find out who is responsible and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with any information is urged to call Greater Manchester Police ‘s Major Incident Team on 0161 856 8797, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Main image by David Minshull
