The burned body of an unidentified woman was found yesterday during a fire in a West Baltimore apartment, under circumstances police described as suspicious.

Homicide detectives said the woman appeared to have injuries not caused by the fire. They said they are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

The body was found at the rear of a first-floor apartment in the 2500 block of Madison Ave. in the Reservoir Hill neighborhood, according to city Fire Department spokesman Kevin Cartwright.

"She was found prone, face down, at the back door as if attempting to make an escape," he said. "Her body was charred. She was not recognizable."

Cartwright said firefighters responded to the blaze, which started inside the apartment, at 6:35 a.m. The cause of the blaze also was under investigation, he said.

The dwelling was one of four in a large, three-story house that had been sectioned into apartments, Cartwright said.

Firefighters arrived to find intense fire and heavy smoke at the rear of the building on the first and second floors, he said.

He said the single-alarm blaze caused "moderate damage" and was under control at 7:20 a.m. Four people who lived in other apartments in the building escaped safely, he said.