Homicide team investigating after burning body discovered near Burnaby playground

The RCMP's homicide team is investigating after a burning body was found in a Burnaby, B.C., park overnight Thursday.

Firefighters were called to Greentree Village Park off Garden Grove Drive for a bush and grass fire around 1:50 a.m. PT.Crews arrived and found a body on fire, saidassistant fire chief Greg Young.

BurnabyRCMP later determined the person hadsuspicious injuries and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called to take over the case.

The remains were found metres from achildren's playground.A sectionof the park, including theplayground, was surrounded by yellow police tape on Thursday morning. A white police tent was also in place.

Officers are still working to confirm the victim's identity.

"Investigators believe it's a woman, but due to the circumstances involved with the burning of the body, that has not yet been confirmed," IHIT Det. Lara Jansen told reporters near the park on Thursday.

IHITsaid in a news release Friday that it believes the body is likely that of a woman who is under five feet tall.

Jansen said the woman may have been in the area up two hours before the fire was reported.

"There is also indication that the woman may have been associated to a dark-coloured, smaller to mid-sizedhatchback SUV or crossover-style vehicle."

The park is a popular, grassy area in a quiet neighbourhood near BCIT'scentral campus. It's also a commercial area that still sees people coming and goingovernight, according to police.

"Anytime there is a suspicious death, let alone in a public place, at a park and this, by all accounts, isknown to be a busy park in a family neighbourhood certainly it is concerning," Jansen said.

Investigators want to speak with anyonewho saw a vehicle that fits the police description or who saw any suspicious activity near the park overnight. They're also asking the public toprovideCCTV or dashcam video footage from the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448).