The Nebraska State Patrol, in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and Pierce County Attorney are investigating a burned-out vehicle containing human remains.

Just after 3:00 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a vehicle on fire in a field nine miles west and one mile north of Pierce. Upon their arrival deputies found a pickup truck fully engulfed in flames. The Pierce Volunteer Fire Department worked to put out the fire. Upon suppressing the flames, what appeared to be human remains were discovered in the cab of the pickup.

The Nebraska State Patrol and the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called in to investigate.

“At this time the vehicle is still smoldering and too hot to get inside,” said Investigative Services Lt. Dan Wilson, Troop B-Norfolk. “Once we are able to make entry, we will work to identify the remains and determine what caused the vehicle to catch fire.”

The investigation is on-going.