Police track fleeing driver on cameras before fiery Tauranga crash

Firefighters responded to the crash on Monday afternoon. Photo / NZME

A vehicle burst into flames in Tauranga after its driver allegedly fled from police and later crashed.

Police say the incident began around 2.40pm on Monday, when officers noticed a person in a vehicle acting suspiciously near Greerton Rd.

“When signalled to stop, the driver allegedly fled. Police did not pursue, instead tracking the vehicle’s movements using traffic cameras,” police said.

A short time later, the vehicle crashed on Glenlyon Ave and caught fire.

Emergency services were quickly on scene, with police pulling the sole occupant from the vehicle before Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews worked to extinguish the blaze.

One person was taken into custody and was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Police said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.