Fire, death investigated as homicide

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Portsmouth police are investigating a vehicle fire and death in the 400 block of Florida Avenue as a homicide.

On Feb. 7 around 5:30 a.m., the fire department was called to the area for a vehicle fire, according to Portsmouth police spokesperson Jan Westerbeck.

Dispatchers received additional calls of an explosion coming from the vehicle in the Port Norfolk neighborhood. Neighbors told WAVY.com the explosion was loud enough to get them out of bed.

"I was laying down in the bed [and] we heard a really loud horn, like someone was pushing on the horn and not letting go," said Seaira Hollingsworth, who called 911.

"I went to one window and I could see an orange glow. I thought it was my neighbor's garage on fire first." neighbor Nick Katselos, who also called 911, said.

Both neighbors said the flames were anywhere between 10 and 20 feet high.

Officers and firefighters arrived on the scene to find a Jeep Cherokee engulfed in flames in the alleyway between the 400 blocks of Florida Avenue and Mt. Vernon Avenue.

After firefighters extinguished the fire, a man's body was found in the rear passenger area of the vehicle.

"It just looked like somebody was driving down the alley and somebody quickly parked there. They were turned like somebody parked it really quick and jumped out," Hollingsworth added.

Police said the vehicle and victim were transported to another location to allow forensic technicians and medical examiners examine the evidence. The body will then be transported to the Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.

Detectives are working to identify the registered owner of the vehicle. However, due to the fire damage, it will take longer than normal.

Portsmouth Homicide Detectives are working with Portsmouth Fire Marshals in a joint investigation into the cause of the fire and death.

The identity of the male victim is unknown at this time. There is also no suspect information at this time.

10 On Your Side tried to get a copy of the 911 tapes, but due the investigation in this case the Portsmouth Police Department denied that request.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.