UPDATE: Police identify man found dead next to vehicle on fire, CMHU investigating

 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- One man is dead after a vehicle fire in St. Joseph County early Saturday morning. 

Emergency crews were called to the 19000 block of Adams Rd just before 3:40 a.m. Saturday morning for a "loud explosion" heard by neighbors, according to St. Joseph County Police.

Police arrived to find a car on fire and Nicolas Oliver, 33, of Elkhart near the vehicle. Oliver was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit was contacted about the incident along with the Clay Fire Department and the St. Joseph County Coroner's office.

According to St. Joseph County Police Detectives, Oliver is believed to have sparked an explosion of the gasoline tank while using a torch to work on the truck. 

An autopsy for Nicolas Oliver has been scheduled for Tuesday morning. 

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call police at 574-235-9569.