A 66-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with first-degree murder following an apartment fire on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday evening, Hamilton police arrested Wayne Bell and charged him with first-degree murder in the death of 65-year-old Marilyn Mitton.

A post-mortem is to be conducted on Monday to determine the cause of death.

A man receives medical attention from paramedics at the scene of an apartment fire at 200 Jackson Street West on Sunday. (Andrew Collins)

The homicide investigation began after an apartment fire on Sunday afternoon.

At around 1:30 p.m., fire crews were called to a highrise building at 200 Jackson Street West in response to a fire on the seventh floor. Firefighters pulled a woman from the burning unit but she was found to be without vital signs.

She was transported to Hamilton General Hospital and was pronounced dead.

Police said Bell, who lives in the same building as the victim, was arrested later that evening.

The estimated fire damage is $100,000, and was contained to one unit.