UPDATE, 12.45pm:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mystery surrounds the identity of a dead man found in a burnt out campervan near Portland on Monday night.
Detective Sergeant Jason von Tunk, of the Portland police crime investigation unit, said emergency services were called to a fire on the Cape Nelson Road just before 8pm.
A white 1980-90s style Campervan was completely destroyed in the fire and the body of the deceased man was found in the van.
The numbers plates of the vehicle were also destroyed in the intense blaze.
"At this stage we have no idea who this gentleman is," Detective Sergeant von Tunk said.
"This vehicle has been seen around town for about a week. It's an early model white Toyota campervan, fitted with a distinctive metallic rear storage box.
"The vehicle also has a full bull bar on the front. We are in the process of checking security camera footage in Portland to try and identify the driver.
"Anyone who has seen this vehicle, or who knows the owner, is requested to contact the Portland police station on 5522 0000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
Detective Sergeant von Tunk said police believed there was only one person in the vehicle.
"We have requested the assistance of a Victoria Police arson squad chemist and investigators to try and determine the cause of the fire," he said.
"The nearby area was also set on fire and about one hectare of scrub land was burnt out.
"The fire fighters are still mopping up," he said at about lunchtime Tuesday.
The initial report to emergency services related to a grass/scrub fire in the Cape Nelson area.
Firefighters located a campervan on fire at the scene and about 30 minutes later, when the fire was brought under control, the body was found in the van.
A crime scene was established and the circumstances surrounding the fire are yet to be determined.
At 10am:
Fire Rescue Victoria has confirmed its Portland crews attended a car fire west of Portland on Monday night.
"FRV and Country Fire Authority crews responded to a car fire in Portland west on Monday evening," A FRV spokesperson said.
"Crews were called to reports of a car fire on Cape Nelson Road just before 8pm.
"The fire was brought under control in 20 minutes."
The spokesperson said further investigations into the incident were under the control of Victoria Police.
Earlier: A Warrnambool police crime scene unit has headed to Cape Nelson near Portland after a body was found in a car late on Monday.
It's believed the vehicle had caught fire in a remote location, a camping ground in the Cape Nelson Road area.
Emergency service were alerted just before 8pm on Monday evening.
A crime scene has been established by Portland uniform police and Portland crime scene detectives.
Investigators are in the process of calling in a Victoria Police arson chemist.
It's expected the chemist will arrive early afternoon to examine the scene and determine the cause of the fire.
It's not known at this stage if the cause of the fire is suspicious or if the fire led to the death of the deceased person.
More to come.
MORE READS:
Facebook has banned Australians sharing news on its platform. Here's how you can find south-west news.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.