Dead body found in burning car
FAMILIES WOKEN BY LOUD BANG AND CAR IN FLAMES
Reporter FAMILIES were woken by a loud bang and the sight of flames, as a car containing a body was set alight.
Firefighters made the gruesome discovery after being called to the scene of the car fire, on a footpath off Success Road, Shiney Row, near Houghton-le-Spring, close to an allotment site.
After emergency services were called in the early hours of yesterday, police cordoned off the road.
A neighbour, who lives in nearby Trinity Park, and did not wish to be named, said she had called the police after being woken by a loud noise.
Speaking yesterday, she said: “It was about 12.40am this morning, I heard the noise, a bang, looked out and saw the flames – it was a car on fire, you could tell.
“The police and the fire brigade came straight away.”
Another man, who has kept one of the allotments on the site for around 40 years, said the news was a “terrible shock for the neighbourhood.”
He added: “It’s a quiet and secluded area here. It’s come out of the blue – things like this just don’t happen in Shiney Row.”
Northumbria Police say they are treating the death of the person, who has not been identified, as unexplained.
Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 39 150817 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “A Tyne and Wear Fire asnd Rescue Service crew from Rainton Bridge attended a car fire at Success Road in Shiney Row in Houghton on Tuesday morning.
“We are continuing to work with Northumbria Police.”