Early on Wednesday, August 6, a burned vehicle with a body inside was found in Port Alberni, sparking an ongoing police investigation.
At about 3:19 a.m., local police received a call to help the fire department with a car fire in a small lot near the BC Transit bus depot on Fourth Avenue. When firefighters put out the flames, officers discovered human remains inside the badly burned car.
The vehicle was parked in the 3700 block of Fourth Avenue. Police have not yet identified the victim or released further details about the case.
A nearby resident, Trevor, who preferred not to give his last name, shared his experience. He said the car belonged to his step-daughter. At around 3:30 a.m., a neighbor alerted him to the fire. Trevor and a police officer approached the scene, but the officer stopped him from getting any closer and told him a body had been found inside the vehicle.
“It was quite shocking,” Trevor said. After moments of fear about his step-daughter, Trevor was informed that the body was not hers.
Port Alberni police have not disclosed additional information but continue to investigate.
Officers are asking anyone who was in the area between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on August 6 to come forward. They especially want people who might have dashcam footage or other information that could help the investigation.
The police request the public’s help to provide any relevant details to aid in identifying the victim and finding out how the fire started.
