A Lehighton man is dead after his body was found inside his burning vehicle Thursday at the entrance to Packerton Yards.

Carbon County Coroner Robert Miller confirmed that the man died, but his identity was not yet known as of late Friday afternoon.

Miller said an autopsy was performed Friday morning.

He said the man was 53 years old, and added the cause of death is pending.

Township police Chief Audie Mertz said that at 11:43 a.m. Thursday, witnesses reported a vehicle that was on fire at the entrance to Packerton Yards.

Mertz said that when the fire department was putting the fire out, they discovered a body in the front seat of the vehicle.