Human remains found in a burned-out van Monday morning on a rural road in East Pierce County are being investigated as a suspicious death.

Deputies were called about 7 a.m. to L S Gate, a rural road in the Mount Rainier foothills, Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said.

The remains have not been identified, but appear to be a man’s, Troyer added.

Officials think the van was set ablaze the night before.

The investigation is ongoing.