Fire Department: Man Found Dead In Forest Park After Body Was On Fire
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The fire department responded to a call in Forest Park, Queens about a small brush fire or possibly debris that was burning in the wooded area of the park at 5:54 on Saturday morning. When the firefighters arrived and quickly got that fire out, they found a dead body in the park about 150 feet off the road.
The person's body had been on fire, the FDNY confirmed.
1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported
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The unidentified victim is a man, and it's unclear whether he was intentionally set on fire or if he was dead before the fire was set.
One woman who has lived across the street from the park for 27 years told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck that sadly, Forest Park has become famous for bodies being found.
"It's the third or fourth time [that bodies have been found]," she said. "One was in a suitcase a few years ago. It's so sad, it's scary, but it's still a safe neighborhood. I definitely feel safe."
Another man and his family who live across the street spent the morning watching the police investigation.
"Yeah, something went wrong, because you have to understand that this is a really great community," the man said. "There are a lot of elderly people, a lot of kids -- it's very diverse."
He said that while the incident is certainly upsetting for him and his family, he feels that the incident is isolated, and he certainly feels safe here.
Police have confirmed that they are investigating the matter.
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