Bottle with suspected accelerant found at scene of car fire

The fire investigations unit of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is looking into a car fire as possible arson that happened Wednesday night on Upland Drive in Independence Township.

A bottle containing a suspected accelerant was recovered from the scene and secured as evidence, the sheriff’s office said.

The fire was reported shortly after 8:30 p.m., drawing response from deputies and a crew from the Independence Township Fire Department who found the vehicle fully-engulfed in flames. The caller had reported seeing flames at the rear of a vehicle but no person nearby, the sheriff’s office said.

A witness reportedly told deputies that prior to the vehicle catching fire, there was a bottle burning on the back of the vehicle.

The vehicle was unoccupied and was extensively damaged by the fire, which was extinguished by firefighters. It was impounded and secured for processing as the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office said.