Bid to identify body found in fire (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Bid to identify body found in fire

4:40am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Detectives are working to establish the identity of a body discovered among the debris of a fire in a supermarket car park.

The human remains were found by a police dog handler at Sainsbury's in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Police said the handler became suspicious after spotting a fire in the car park while on routine patrol. Once the fire was put out, a body was discovered in the debris.

Police have not been able to identify the age or sex of the victim because of its decomposed state but a post-mortem examination is to take place later.

Forensic officers were called to the scene in Bath Road to search for evidence after the supermarket was closed and the car park cordoned off by police.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Power said it was too early to say whether the circumstances surrounding the death were suspicious.

He added: "We would like to hear from anyone who was in and around the area of the Sainsbury's car park between the hours of 1.30am and 3am. The car park is quite active late at night, as people drive through to use the cashpoint or walk through as a short cut.

"In particular, we would like to hear from you if you were driving through the car park or if you were the young couple who were spotted walking through the car park holding hands. You may hold information that would assist us in our inquiries, so I would urge you to speak to us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.