A south Jersey police chief says a woman trapped behind the wheel of a car that burst into flames has died, but a passenger managed to escape and went looking for help.

Stratford police Chief Ronald Morello tells the Gloucester County Times that 28-year-old Alea C. Morrow, of Lindenwold, was driving early Saturday when her car caught on fire. Authorities say the car was engulfed in flames when they arrived and Morrow was trapped behind the wheel.

After the fire was extinguished, police learned a second person had also been in the car. They found the 22-year-old passenger walking through a housing development looking for help. Morello tells the newspaper that she was taken to a hospital for observation.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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