HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- A death investigation is underway in Hanover County after the body of a BP employee was found in a car that caught fire at the Mechanicsville Turnpike gas station.
"The victim has been identified as Zaheer R. Mazhar, 37, of Richmond. The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the Hanover Fire Marshal’s Office to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident," Hanover Sheriff's Sgt James Cooper said. "Please keep the family and friends of the victim in your thoughts and prayers."
Hanover fire crews were called to the BP gas station at 7051 Mechanicsville Turnpike at about 11:04 p.m. Monday.
When crews arrived, they found the burning car.
Firefighters worked quickly to contain the flames and prevent them from damaging the building.
Once the fire was put out, firefighters found Mazhar's body in the back seat of the car.
Customers were shocked when they saw the aftermath of the fire.
"When something like this happens, how many people does it affect? It's huge," Roger Owen said. "That's somebody's son, father, and brother."
This is a developing story. Anyone with additional information was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or submit a news tip here.
