Body found in burning vehicle near Marengo, sheriff’s office says

One person is dead after a vehicle was found engulfed in flames southwest of Marengo, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies responded about 1:50 a.m. Friday to a call for a motorist assist near the intersection of Blissdale and Jackson roads, Deputy Kevin Byrnes said in an email. The deputies then called the Marengo Fire Protection District.

The fire district responded, but the fire was “basically out” when crews arrived, fire Chief John Kimmel said. The fire had burned to a point where there was nothing left on the car to burn, he said.

Once the fire was extinguished, a body was found inside the vehicle, Byrnes said.

When asked whether the incident was considered suspicious, Byrnes said it still is an active investigation, and more information will be released at a later date.

No deputies were injured in the incident, he said. Neither were any fire personnel, Kimmel said.

McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein declined to comment.