HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating after, they said, a body was found inside a car that was engulfed in flames.
Cellphone video captured fierce flames coming from the sedan along the 2300 block of Thomas Street, near Boggs Field, Sunday morning.
According to Hollywood Police, they received a call about a structure fire at around 7 a.m.
Hollywood Fire Rescue crews rushed to contain the flames and were able to stop them from spreading and causing more damage.
“The fire department extinguished the fire, and during their brief investigation, they did determine that there was a body inside of the vehicle,” said Hollywood Police spokesperson Christian Lata.
Officials said the burning vehicle was located in a rear south alley. The fire was so intense that it began spreading into a backyard of the Pitts’ home.
Inside the home, the family was sleeping.
“We were asleep one minute, and the next minute we get banging on the door saying, ‘Get out! It’s a fire,'” said a woman who lives in the home.
The fire was so intense that it destroyed part of the fence that divides the affected home from the alley and also caused some damage to the top portion of the house.
“I pray and hope they figure that out, they find that out, and get whoever did that because I have people sleeping here,” said Tora Pitts.
Tora is not the only one who is on edge. Other neighbors said they’re fearful, too.
“I feel uncomfortable and not even safe in my home anymore,” said area resident Selva Atas.
With most of the evidence likely burned in the car, police said the investigation could take awhile.
“Investigations like this take their time. We wanna be very methodical,” Lata said.
If you have any information that could help investigators, call Hollywood Police at 954-764-4357.
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