Jun. 5--The body of a man was found yesterday inside a burning Jaguar in a school parking lot in North Merrick, an apparent suicide, police said.
Shortly after noon, neighbors called police and reported hearing a "loud, popping noise" near Merrick Avenue off the Southern State Parkway, said Kevin Power, commanding officer of the county's Arson/ Bomb squad. When police and the North Merrick Fire Department responded, they found the car in the parking lot of the Brookside School at 1260 Meadowbrook Rd.
"When they arrived, they saw the subject in the vehicle," Power said at the scene. "It was fully engulfed in flames."
Firefighters said they were unsuccessful in attempts to rescue the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they had not identified him last night.
A fire chief received a hand injury, which did not appear serious. The fire was not considered suspicious, police said, and was under investigation.
As detectives huddled near the blackened silver Jaguar, a white blanket was draped over the driver's side. Police said the body of the man was still inside.
No other vehicles were in the lot and the school was unoccupied, police said.
Credit: Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
