Firefighters have discovered the body of a 46-year-old woman at the scene of an apartment fire in Belconnen.
An ACT Policing spokeswoman said attempts were made to save the woman, who was a resident of the unit, but she was declared deceased at the scene.
The fire, at Wallcliffe Flats on Osborne Place, was reported to police and emergency services about 6.40am on Monday, May 18.
The cause and circumstances of the fire are yet to be determined.
Firefighters had contained the blaze about 7am, but said there could be light smoke in the area and warned community members to avoid the location.
Two Australian Federal Police forensics officers wearing masks were seen at the scene about 1pm working alongside senior detectives.
"The fire was extinguished by ACT Fire & Rescue and the cause of the fire is being investigated. Police are appealing for anyone with information about the fire to come forward," the police spokeswoman said.
A neighbour who was woken up by the sound of fire trucks on Monday morning told this masthead there was a strong smell of burning plastic about 7am.
"I was with my son ... and I heard all these fire engines coming, I looked out the front and there were loads of lights everywhere," the witness said, adding this was not the first time a fire had been reported in the block.
"Last time there was a fire in an actual flat. Apparently ... there were two people unconscious inside."
The neighbour said they wanted to move out of the property and were concerned for the safety of their family due to previous experiences.
"They're doing drugs and stuff. The stuff that they blow out goes towards my place. You can smell cannabis all the time, even when the doors are closed I can smell it in my house."
Anyone who had information, or was near Osborne Place before 6:40am on May 18 has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers ACT quoting the reference number 8389127.
