Vic: Torched body found on vacant lot in Melbourne
08 Mar 2009 6:38 PM
MELBOURNE, March 8 AAP - Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a middle-aged man and the apparent torching of his body in a suburban Melbourne street.
The man's charred body was found on a vacant block of land opposite houses in Loch Crescent, Strathmore, about 3.45am (AEDT) on Sunday.
Firefighters made the gruesome discovery while responding to a grass fire.
"There'd been a grass fire reported at that location," said Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Harrington, of the Homicide Squad.
"Whilst they were extinguishing that small grass fire, they've discovered what appears to be the body of a male.
"We're treating those circumstances as suspicious."
The area was sealed off as police scoured the area for evidence.
It is not known if the man died at the scene or if his body was dumped.
Det Snr Sgt Harrington said the body was badly burnt and had not been identified.
Police said in a statement that the dead man was thought to be aged in his mid-40s.
"One of the things we are looking at is that the fire perhaps emanated from the deceased male. Again, we're keeping an open mind," Det Snr Sgt Harrington said.
He said it was too early to say if an accelerant had been used.
A nearby resident, who gave his name only as Paul, said he thought a plane had crashed when he saw the police tape on the block, near Essendon Airport.
"I'm shocked ... It's a bit of a worry."
