POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a body was discovered inside a burning vehicle Tuesday morning in Pompano Beach.
According to BSO spokeswoman Miranda Grossman, someone called 911 around 6:30 a.m. to report a vehicle fire in the 200 block of Northwest 32nd Court.
Cellphone video shows the white SUV engulfed in flames as thick, dark smoke shoots into the air. A nearby dumpster also caught fire.
Neighbors were seen coming outside, watching in disbelief.
William Rolando Martinez, who lives nearby, told Local 10 News in Spanish that he heard what sounded like an explosion. He went to his window to look outside and then saw the burning SUV.
Deputies and Pompano Beach firefighters responded to the scene and the fire was extinguished.
Deputies then found a body inside the back seat of the vehicle.
Sky 10 was above the scene around 7:30 a.m. What appeared to be a red gas canister could be seen on the ground near the charred vehicle.
Neighbors said they were shocked at the sight of it all, saying it’s scary to think this can happen where they live.
Grossman said BSO’s Homicide and Crime Scene Units were notified to investigate, along with investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
City of Pompano Beach Public Information Officer Sandra King said the victim is an adult and detectives are working to confirm the identity of the body.
Anyone with further information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon contributed to this story.