Police: Body found after firefighters called to fire outside of school

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A body was found after firefighters were called to a fire outside an elementary school, according to police.

Someone called 911 and reported a brush fire by the Millbridge Elementary School in China Grove.

When firefighters arrived, they found a man's body.

Medical examiners are now investigating the death of Erasmo Jimenez.

Many neighbors are just learning the details of what happened Friday nigh.

Rowan County's Sheriff said someone passing by Millbridge Elementary noticed a fire just after 8 p.m. Friday and called 911.

Officers responded to the call, finding a brush fire and the burned body of 39-year-old Jimenez.

Investigators said the man worked in Statesville as a landscaper, but lived in Charlotte.

Deputies spoke to his family and they said they have no idea why he would have been near the elementary school.

The sheriff said that the body has been sent to a medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

Eyewitness News talked to a neighbor who lives across the street from the school and he said he saw a car and a van parked near the school, and that the two people there shortly before started the fire.

"They weren't doing anything. They were standing out there talking. That's what I saw and then I shut the drapes."

Eyewitness News is working with investigators to find out exactly when those autopsy results will return.

Stay with wsoctv.com for the latest on this developing story.

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