Deaths of two found in burning minivan ruled accidental

The deaths of two people found inside a burning minivan more than a month ago in the Southwest Side Little Village neighborhood have been ruled accidents.

Fire crews discovered the bodies after extinguishing the vehicle fire at 12:24 a.m. Sept. 2 in the 3100 block of South Harding, according to Chicago Police.

One of the people has been identified as 65-year-old Jose Suarez of the 5100 block of South Whipple, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The other body has not yet been officially identified.

Autopsies found the immediate causes of death were thermal and smoke inhalation injuries, with alcohol intoxication as a contributing factor, according to the medical examiner’s office. The deaths were ruled accidents.

Area Central detectives and the CPD Bomb and Arson Unit are conducting a death investigation.