Car fire body 'suspicious'

Car fire body 'suspicious'

South Wales Police's chief detective has said he is now treating the discovery of a body in a blazing car as suspicious.

Speaking on Tuesday, Detective Superintendent Martin Lloyd Evans said evidence had come to light surrounding the death of the man - believed to be in his 40s and from the Cardiff area.

His body was found in the back seat of a grey Renault Laguna when the fire service was called to the car park of the Royal British Legion Club in Whitchurch, north Cardiff, on Monday night.

His body was wrapped in what is believed to be a blanket or piece of carpet.

Lloyd Evans: New evidence has come to light

Earlier on Tuesday Mr Lloyd Evans said the area around the car park would have been busy last night and urged anyone who may have seen anything remotely suspicious to contact police.

"I am anxious to speak to anyone who may have used the car park. It is very much a thoroughfare... Lots of people would have past by there between 6pm and 9.30pm last night."

When asked if it was likely to become a murder inquiry, he added: "We are treating the incident as suspicious. There are a number of things we need to do in order to determine if this is a murder inquiry."

The incident began to unfold at 2100 BST on Monday by people drinking in the club which overlooks the car park.

They thought the car had been set alight by youngsters, as had happened in the past.

A post mortem examination was due to be held on Tuesday afternoon. No formal identification has been carried out.

Meanwhile, scenes of crime officers are continuing to carry out forensic tests on the car and the surrounding area.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the car in the car park, or spotted people nearby, to contact them at Fairwater police station on 029 20571530.