Body discovered beside car fire in Omagh

Red and yellow striped emergency vehicles are parked on a country lane which is surrounded by green fields. Pacemaker

The emergency services were alerted to the incident on Saturday

One person has died as a result of a fire involving a car in County Tyrone, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Officers were alerted to the incident in the Rylagh Road area of Omagh at 14:05 BST on Saturday by members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

The fire service discovered the body amid efforts to extinguish a Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 that was on fire.

Police said they are treating the incident as arson.

Independent councillor Josephine Deehan, told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that the "tragic and horrific situation" has left the local community "really shocked, greatly saddened and indeed disturbed".

A blue tent has been erected on a country road. The image is taken from a distance, but you can see a number of people dressed in all-white forensic suits. They are surrounded by trees and grass.

Forensic officers attended to the scene on Rylagh Road outside Omagh

The Rylagh Road, which is rural with very few houses nearby, is partially closed.

"Our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing," said Detective Inspector Keon.

He appealed to anyone who may have been in the area between 12:00 and 14:15 on Saturday, or who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact them.

"We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and would also like to hear from anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle."

Deehan described the Rylagh Road as a "very beautiful, tranquil, rural area" which is home to a "close-knit, supportive community".

She commended the emergency services for attending to the "harrowing situation" and echoed their call for information from the public as she said the community want to have answers "pretty quickly" to end the speculation.

A police sign place on the road says 'police road closed' and there is a yellow coin beside it. The road winds down through fields and shrubbery.

Police said they are treating the incident as arson

SDLP assembly member Daniel McCrossan described the incident as "deeply disturbing".

The West Tyrone MLA said the death has "shocked the local community".

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the person who has so tragically lost their life", he added.

"It is heartbreaking that someone has died in such harrowing circumstances. People in the area are understandably anxious and looking for answers.

"It is critical that anyone with information – no matter how small – reports it to the PSNI."

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