By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A car fire early Wednesday morning raises suspicion that it might be arson.

A passer-by reported the burning car at 12:06 a.m. Wednesday on 350th Rd. just west of US-77.

Lost Springs fire department was summoned along with sheriff’s deputies. Dispatchers sent Marion rescue to the scene, but not an ambulance.

No one was found in or near the vehicle.

Undersheriff David Huntley said damage to the car was so severe deputies had to determine its make by a Chrysler emblem on its wheel rims. The model is unknown.

Huntley said deputies were unable to find anyone connected to what appeared to be a mini-van. No tags were attached, so authorities have not determined who owns it, how it caught fire, or why no one associated with it was found in the area.

“We have nothing to go on,” he said.

Huntley said other law enforcement agencies in the area were consulted, and no stolen vehicles or missing people have been reported.

“Right now we’re waiting to see if someone reports a missing van,” he said.

Huntley said arson is suspected, however, fire marshal Chris Mercer said he was not notified about the Chrysler.

Mercer said VIN numbers are marked in hidden locations on a car, not simply under the driver’s side of the windshield. Huntley said damage was too great to find those numbers.