This story has been updated.
A call that originally came in as a bush and grass fire at a Burnaby park early Thursday morning ended with firefighters extinguishing a burning body, according to the fire department.
First responders were called to Greentree Village Park off Garden Grove Drive at 1:54 a.m., assistant fire Chief Greg Young told the NOW.
“The engine arrived to a bush and grass fire along with a body fully on fire,” Young said.
Police and ambulance were already on site, according to Young, and firefighters left the scene in the hands of the RCMP after putting out the flames with a fire extinguisher.
“If you use water, you might do damage to evidence,” Young said.
At a news conference later in the morning, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said the “circumstances surrounding the remains and the area were deemed to be suspicious” and homicide investigators have been called in to investigate.
A white tent has been set up near the playground, and the entire park is surrounded by yellow police tape.
IHIT media spokesperson Det. Lara Jansen said investigators were working to secure evidence and their first priority was to confirm the identity of the victim.
“What I can tell you is that investigators believe it’s a woman, but, due to the circumstances involved with the burning of the body, that has not yet been confirmed,” she told reporters.
Jansen said investigators are also looking into whether the victim died at the scene or was taken there from elsewhere.
“It is incredibly early in this investigation,” she said. “Those are things that, in partnership with the BC Coroners Service, our investigators will be working on.”
Jansen said the area around Greentree Village Park is a mixed-use residential and commercial area used frequently – even in the overnight hours.
She urged anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam video from the area to contact IHIT.
Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or [email protected].
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email [email protected]
