Montgomery County Police Investigate Body Found in Burning Van

Montgomery County police and fire officials are investigating the death of a person who was found inside a burning minivan in downtown Bethesda early Monday.

Police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said authorities were notified just before 4 a.m. of a car on fire at the intersection of Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road.

The vehicle turned out to be a gray minivan, partially perched on the median strip. Fire crews were extinguishing the blaze when they saw the body, in the driver's seat, Baur said.

The age and gender of the person were not immediately known.

Police closed all six lanes of Bradley Boulevard to traffic between Arlington and Hillandale Roads so an accident reconstruction team could examine the site.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Montgomery County police and the fire marshal's office, Baur said.

She said it is not yet clear whether the fire and the person's death were caused by an accidental collision, or whether foul play is suspected.