A body was found inside a burning vehicle on Bells Line of Road in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, and police have appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage as they investigate.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday following reports a car was on fire about 10 kilometres east of Mount Wilson. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and officers subsequently located a body inside the vehicle.
Police established a crime scene with support from Blue Mountains Police Area Command and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command. The state crime command’s homicide squad has been informed and detectives are working to determine the identity of the person and the cause of the fire, both of which remain undetermined.
Bells Line of Road was closed in both directions between Mount Tomah Road at Mount Street and Darling Causeway at Bell for much of Sunday while investigators attended the scene. Motorists were advised to use the Great Western Highway and Darling Causeway as alternative routes. Police later reopened the route after the scene was cleared.
Authorities have asked anyone with information, or anyone who recorded dashcam footage in the area between 10:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, to contact Springwood Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Detectives described the appeal as part of efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the blaze and the discovery.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police did not provide further details about the vehicle, any possible occupants prior to the fire, or whether there were signs of foul play at the scene. Forensic teams were expected to examine the vehicle and surrounding area as part of the inquiry.
Local emergency and highway authorities coordinated traffic management and the fire response while investigative teams worked at the scene. Further updates are awaited as police complete examinations and notify next of kin if identification is confirmed.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Springwood Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to assist detectives with their inquiries.