An investigator takes notes on a van that exploded in flames next to an apartment building in Stapleton.

A van driving north on Syracuse at about 5:15 on Friday, Oct. 24 burst into flames. The driver pulled into the alley in the 2800 block of the Botanic Apartments where the vehicle fire also burned the exterior of the apartment building. A police officer said the driver ran away. The person in a car behind him said the explosion was deafening, very scary and she could feel the heat of the flames as she passed.

The vehicle was totally destroyed by the fire.

The exterior of the Botanic Apartments in the 2800 block of Syracuse was damaged by the fire.