Authorities in Portsmouth, Virginia, are investigating a discovery after human remains were reportedly found in a dumpster fire outside Bethel Worship Center Church International.

According to Mail Online, emergency services responded to reports of a fire around 9 p.m. on Monday 25th November at the church on Pepperwood Court.

After extinguishing the flames, Portsmouth Police uncovered charred human remains amid the ashes and debris.

A homicide investigation is ongoing, with police working alongside the medical examiner to identify the victim due to the body's condition.

The church cancelled its Tuesday food pantry in response to the incident.

Pastor Herman Dixon expressed heartbreak over the discovery.

He told The Virginian Pilot: “Sometimes people have to understand that what they do doesn’t just affect them or people in their close proximity, it affects a lot more people.

“You can’t hurt a person without hurting their family, and yourself. When you do something, it affects everybody around you.”

Local residents also voiced their shock and concern.

Brandon Wilson, a neighbor, described the normally peaceful neighborhood: “We were coming off the interstate and saw fire trucks, police, and an ambulance. It’s usually so quiet around here; this was terrifying.”

In the aftermath, the Portsmouth Police Department organized a R.E.S.E.T. walk to address community concerns and promote safety. This initiative included wellness checks and encouraging residents to report suspicious activity. 

The victim’s identity and the cause of death remain unconfirmed, and no arrests have been made.

The church has since resumed services, according to its Facebook page.