The discovery of a body in the driver’s seat of a burning automobile in Sydney’s west is being investigated by police as suspicious.
At around 2.15 am, emergency services were summoned to Webb Street in North Parramatta in response to reports of a burning hatchback.
Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW put out the fire.
Later, police discovered a body inside the half burned-out Ford Fiesta’s driver’s seat.
Forensic testing will be done on the remains to identify them.
Webb Street is shut off in both directions as the area is handled as a crime scene.
There are local detours in place.
The event is being investigated as a possible homicide, according to NSW Police Superintendent Barry Vincent.
Before the police were contacted, several neighbors in the neighborhood said to they heard what appeared to be gunshots, with two or three pops ringing out.
In agreement with reports of gunshots in the vicinity prior to the fire, Vincent said he would be interested in speaking with nearby people.
“We are calling on any members of the public who may have any information, dashcam footage, or CCTV that may assist our inquiries around that time in Webb Street, North Parramatta, to contact us as Parramatta police or Crime Stoppers,” the officer said.
Vincent said it was far too early to determine whether or not the two occurrences were connected. However, investigators will continue to work with Sutherland police on another burned automobile that was discovered overnight at Waterfall with skeletal remains inside.
