Bridgeport police say a man was found dead inside an SUV following a fire.

According to detectives, firefighters were initially called to the scene around 10 p.m. Wednesday to put out a car fire when they discovered the body in the driver's seat of the vehicle.

The crime scene remained active for about 12 hours as police worked to collect evidence.

Officials say the car appears to have been stolen out of Meriden, but the victim's identity was not immediately clear and will have to be determined by the state medical examiner.

"The vehicle was set on fire on the inside," says Police Chief AJ Perez. "The victim was burned somewhere in the area of above his chest through his face, so facial recognition is not possible at this time."

Police say neighbors reported hearing gunshots hours before the car fire was called in, but there is no word on a connection between the two incidents.