Man found dead in Bronx fire, had gunshot wound to head

UNIONPORT, Bronx (WABC) -- A 45-year-old man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head by firefighters battling a fire in his Bronx apartment building late Wednesday.

Police say Noel Farrow was discovered in the kitchen of his third-floor apartment on Gleason Avenue in the Unionport section, with a .09-mm shell casing under his body. The fire was reported just after 11:15 p.m.

Authorities say he appears to have been shot behind his right ear, with the bullet exiting his forehead. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set in the bedroom and spread to the living room.

"We just heard firecracker noise, and seen a lot of blaze," neighbor Ramo Ramsudh said.

Nearby residents said they were already awake because of the unusual noise.

"What woke me up was just like loud shots," neighbor Jailene Colon said. "It was like gun shots."

Minutes later, there was smoke and flames. Building superintendent Jose Borrel noticed the smoke and ran to help.

"I went upstairs and tried to get in the apartment," he said. "Couldn't see nothing."

Borrel was able to help get some people out of the building, while others had to be rescued by firefighters.

The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities believe they have obtained an image of a person of interest on surveillance video.

No weapon was recovered in the apartment.

Farrow reportedly had seven prior arrests, some for drugs. His last arrest unsealed arrest was in 2008, for criminal possession of a controlled substance. He served three years in state prison.