GARDEN GROVE – A body burned beyond recognition was discovered Tuesday morning, Feb. 13, inside a car at a shopping center, authorities said.

Shortly before 3:30 a.m., a transient phoned emergency dispatchers to report a 2005 Prius was on fire in the 9800 block of Garden Grove Boulevard, said Lt. Jeff Nightengale of the Garden Grove Police Department.

Firefighters knocked the blaze down in about 10 minutes and then discovered a body inside, said Capt. Brad Spell of the Garden Grove Fire Department.

Arson investigators determined the blaze had been set on purpose. Police were attempting to identify the body and figure out if it was male or female. Detectives scoured the shopping center for clues Tuesday morning, including surveillance video from businesses.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Garden Grove police at 714-741-5800.