A death investigation is underway in north Alabama after a dead body was found inside a car that erupted in flames Sunday, the Colbert County coroner said Monday.

Coroner Justin Gasque told AL.com he was called to the scene on South Columbia Avenue in Sheffield.

The body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy, Gasque said.

He said police were handling questions on the manner of death, which remained under investigation as of Monday evening, but Sheffield police could not immediately be reached for comment.