The Major Crime Unit was called to investigate the discovery of a body inside a burned out van in New Westminster Wednesday night.
Police initially arrived to assist firefighters with a vehicle fire on Fourth Avenue near 10th Street around 6:45 p.m.
A body was found inside a white van once the fire was put out.
Investigators removed what appeared to be prescription bottles and a beer can from the scene.
The van was towed away, with the body inside, several hours later.
Witnesses described hearing a “loud pop” around the time of the fire.
“It wasn’t like a loud explosion - you could hear glass and you just heard a bit of a pop,” said Jacob Wyman, who lives in the area. “The flames were shooting up, it was a ball of flames pretty quick, a lot of black smoke.”
Police haven't said if they consider the death to be suspicious. An investigation is ongoing.
