SHARONVILLE, Ohio -- Terri Tate heard the boom of her neighbor's car exploding before she saw the flames, she said Wednesday night. Next came the screaming.

Colonial Gardens Apartments property manager Jamie Davidson was already outside, where the tenant's 2014 Kia had ignited while he attempted to pull into a parking space.

"He was kicking the door -- he just couldn't get out," she said. Although Davidson and other residents attempted to help the victim, she said the fire was simply too hot for them to get close enough to pull him out.

The victim, a 48-year-old man whose identity has not been released, died in the car. According to both Tate and Davidson, his mother saw it happen.

"I honestly think she would have jumped in the car with him if we couldn't have kept her back," Davidson said.

She added that the pair had lived together in the complex, where the victim cared for his mother.

Police said they were investigating the possible source of the fire.

"It is tremendously complicated and there is a lot of evidence," Sgt. Walter Cordes said. "There is a lot of evidence that may have been destroyed because of the fire."

Police asked anyone with information about the fire to call them at 513-563-1147.