An investigation is underway as police examine what remains of a burned car found in the parking lot of Mapleview Heights Elementary School. Barrie police say by the time officers arrived at the parking lot on Thursday morning, the fire had been extinguished by fire and emergency services. Police say a melted gas canister was located inside the car. A man who lives in the area told police he heard a “loud boom” sound around 4:20 a.m. Police say when he went outside, he saw a large flame and smoke coming from the parking lot on Esther Drive. Police say the investigation determined the car to be a black, 2015 four-door BMW that was reported stolen that same day in Brampton. Officers contacted the owner, who confirmed it was stolen from the driveway of his residence and he still had the only set of keys for the car on him. An investigation remains ongoing, and police are encouraging anyone who may have seen what happened or has video footage of the incident to reach out to them or Crime Stoppers.
