A man's body was found inside a burnt out car after a fire broke out in the early hours of the morning.
Neighbours on Chatsworth Street in Barnes, Sunderland were woken just before 4am on Wednesday by explosions as a Vauxhall Astra burst into flames on the street.
Emergency services were called and the fire was extinguished by two fire crews.
The body of a man was then discovered inside the car. His death is not currently being treated as suspicious and his family have been informed.
Police officers remain at the scene as an investigation continues and they have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 4am today we received a report of a vehicle on fire on Chatsworth Street, Sunderland.
“Emergency services attended and extinguished the fire. Sadly, the body of a man was found deceased inside the vehicle.
“An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, but there is not currently believed to have been any third party involvement. The man’s next of kin have been informed.
“Officers remain at the scene to carry out a range of inquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact us via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website quoting log 95 290420.”
A spokersperson from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two crews from Farringdon and Sunderland Central were called out to a car fire in Sunderland at 3.47am, arriving on scene at 3.52am. A Vauxhall Astra was 100% severely damaged by fire.”
