Portsmouth Police Investigating Suspicious Car Fire

 detectives and the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating a Sunday night van fire, which is being called "suspicious." 

An officer on patrol smelled smoke in the area of Coral Street in Island Park around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. He soon saw flames coming from the gas tank of a parked 2010 Ford van, according to Lt. Brian Peters.

"He quickly removed the fire extinguisher from his vehicle and attempted to put the fire out," Peters said. 

A second police officer arrived a short time later. He also attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, but the officers' attempts failed. 

arrived at the scene moments later and extinguished the blaze. 

The fire remains under investigation at this time. "It (the fire) appears to be suspicious in nature," Peters said. 

Portsmouth detectives and officials from the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the incident.