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Man's body found in burning car

Eimear FlanaganBBC News NI
BBC Harford Street in Portadown. In the foreground is a police car, with blue and white tape blocking off the street. Police officers in forensic suits are on the street. BBC
The car was found on fire on Harford Street in Portadown on Saturday night

The body of a man has been found inside a burning car in Portadown, County Armagh.

Police were called to the scene at Harford Street in the town centre at about 22:00 BST on Saturday.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ch Insp Tierney, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the circumstances are under investigation and a post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of his death.

The cause of the car fire will also be investigated.

The vehicle's windows were smashed and it was significantly damaged by the blaze.

A neighbouring property in the street sustained scorch damage, according to police.

The officer added: "Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) were also tasked to the scene to conduct relevant enquiries – we can confirm there is no risk to the public."

'An extremely difficult scene'

Carla Lockhart, a woman with long, straight, blonde hair, looks directly at the camera with a serious expression while standing close to the scene of the car fire in Portadown. She is wearing a beige cardigan with large front pockets and black and pale green scarf tied around her neck. The background is out of focus but there are houses and a parked police car behind her.
The DUP's Carla Lockhart urged the public to avoid speculation about the death

Carla Lockhart, the MP for Upper Bann, said the circumstances surrounding the man's death are not yet known but she expressed sympathy to his loved ones.

"Behind this news is a family facing the most devastating circumstances, and they should be very much in our thoughts this morning," she said.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP added it would have been "an extremely difficult scene" for members of the emergency services to witness.

Lockhart said it was important that the police "are given the time and space necessary to carry out a full and thorough investigation".

"I have been liaising with the PSNI in relation to this tragic incident and will remain in contact as their investigation progresses.

"I would appeal to everyone to please avoid speculation on social media, particularly around the identity of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding what has happened.

"Speculation helps no one and can cause enormous additional distress to a family at an already incredibly difficult time."

She urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the PSNI.

"A very sad morning for Portadown. My thoughts and prayers remain with the family and all those impacted," Lockhart added.

Pacemaker Two forensic investigators in hazmat suits walk towards a temporary black tent which has been erected at the scene where a man's body was found in a burning car in Portadown. A yellow and blue police car is parked close to the tent and a red and white police cordon is stretched across the tent.Pacemaker
Forensic investigators examined the scene of the incident on Sunday

'Devastating news'

The deputy leader of the Alliance party, Eóin Tennyson, also expressed condolences over the man's death.

"This morning we have woken up to devastating news in Portadown," the Upper Bann assembly member said.

"My thoughts are first and foremost with the family and loved ones of the deceased at this incredibly difficult time."

"I would urge everyone to give the police the space they need to carry out their investigations and, importantly, to refrain from speculation out of respect for the family," he added.

Open Arms Church which is located on Harford Street said it was "devastated" by the news.

"We were not able to meet this morning for worship, but we fully understand the need for the PSNI to investigate the scene and their concern that the proximity to the issue might also be distressing for some folks," a spokesperson said in a statement.

They added their "thoughts and prayers" are with "all those affected".