Officials are trying to figure out what caused a car to go up in flames near the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center late Saturday night.

Authorities say someone from across the Housatonic River in Stratford first reported the fire near Smith Point.

As first responders put out the flames, Battalion Chief Jason Dombrowski, of the Milford Fire Department, says they found a dead body outside the car.

"These situations are tough," Chief Dombrowski says. "If this was two weeks or ago or three weeks ago when we had the drought conditions, this situation could have been a lot worse."

Firefighters were able to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby marsh lands and the Audubon Society building.

“We do not believe there’s any type of risk to the community," Chief Dombrowski says. "Right now, there’s nothing that’s making us lean into the direction of it being suspicious."

Officials have not released the victim's name out of respect for the family.