Ukiah firefighters investigating early morning car fire

Ukiah firefighters are investigating a fire that destroyed a car early Tuesday morning, calling the blaze "suspicious in nature."

A 1998 Nissan Sentra was reported on fire at 6:25 a.m., said Capt. Peter Bushby. It was burning behind a locked gate on the 100 block of Ford Street in Ukiah, where it had been parked since Sunday, he said.

The fire began in the engine compartment and was knocked down in about 10 minutes, but not before destroying the car, said Capt. Justin Buckingham.

It was parked across from the Ford Street Project, a substance abuse treatment center, and near a homeless shelter.

No additional information was available because of the ongoing investigation.