https://www.pinterest.com/deannamulder/burn-victims-yes-beautiful-people-yes/
This is just one of the many sites that have pics of people who had severe burns all over their bodies, but have healed. Just imagine the skin raw and black, no hair.
You know how a mother can recognize their child's cry on a playground of kids or they say they would know their child anywhere? Same kinda thing may have been interpreted or paraphrased by the press. I think JC was in bad shape, no hair, burns over 98% which would have discolored her skin in varying shades. I don't think she was recognizable as Jessica per se.
I think the fire chief probably recognized the car and immediately made the connection it was JC. I hope he comforted her and let he know help was coming. Third degree burns usually sear the nerve endings. First degree and second degree burns hurt a lot. Fluid loss is huge and I can remember the ER doc trying to get IV access on a patient when none of the familiar landmarks were evident. Jessica suffered a tremendously painful and horrific death. IMO