A person was found dead inside a car after the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames in the parking lot of the Walmart in Crystal Lake Thursday morning.
The Crystal Lake Police Department and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded around 5:38 a.m. Thursday to Walmart, 1205 Route 31, for a report of a vehicle fire.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Richard Neumann said several witnesses reported the vehicle was occupied.
The bystanders had made attempts to help remove the person from the car.
The attempts were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the fire, Neumann said.
Firefighters arrived and reported the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames on the south side of the parking lot.
Neumann said the subject was located in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene after the fire was extinguished.
Paramedics treated one of the bystanders at the scene. The bystander declined transport to the hospital.
Fire investigators, police detectives and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office was also notified and responded. They have not released information on the case yet.
Neumann said the incident remains under active investigation by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and the Crystal Lake Police Department.
Anyone who may have information relating to the investigation is asked to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815-356-3620.
Anonymous tips can also be sent to the Crystal Lake Police Department by texting the word CLPDTIP along with the tip information to 847411.