NC officials find charred remains in burning car

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Officials have discovered charred skeletal remains in a car found burning in a drainage ditch along a North Carolina street.

First Sgt. C.J. Slemenda of the Highway Patrol says emergency workers responding to a car fire Monday morning just outside Elon in Alamance County. Investigators spotted the body after the fire had been put out.

Slemenda said the burning car did not appear to have damage consistent with an accident. Arson was not immediately suspected as the cause for the fire, which began beneath the vehicle.

Slemenda also said the burning vehicle was registered in another county.

Slemenda said the remains have been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill for identification and to determine the cause of death.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)