Body found inside scorched van in northeast Houston

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Homicide investigators are working to determine what led to the burning of a van in which a body was found. Police found the burned vehicle on East Houston Road near Liberty Road in northeast Houston.

Police arrived after 8:45 a.m. Wednesday in response to a report of a van engulfed in flames. Once the fire was put out, police say they found a body inside. The extent of that person's injuries are so severe that police have not determined the age or gender of that person.

Police say a can of accelerant was found near the vehicle and a torch was found inside the van. They also say the van was reported stolen in November. Investigators are waiting for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences to determine a cause of death and hopefully reveal more details about the person in the van.

The van was found in a desolate area where Houston police say there is a lot of dumping. Police also say there is at least one witness who saw two men leave the scene in a white work truck.