Auckland man driving while ablaze

AUCKLAND - A man reportedly set himself on fire in a house before driving 5km to another residence while still ablaze on Auckland's North Shore this morning.

Fire Service northern communications centre shift manager Jaron Phillips said emergency services were first called to an address in Bay View Road, Glenfield, about 9.40am.

"The caller told us that the guy had set himself on fire and that the house he was in also caught fire," Mr Phillips said.

"After that he got into a car while he was still on fire and drove to (nearby) Torbay.

"We believe he was causing police some problems there as well."

Mr Phillips said two fire crews were still dealing with the fire at the Glenfield house but that it had largely been brought under control.

Inspector Kerry Watson of the Police northern communications centre said the man was involved in a crash with several vehicles in Torbay.

Mr Watson said the man was subsequently taken to hospital to be treated for burns. Another man was injured at the Torbay scene but did not require medical attention.

He said the man and the house were believed to have caught fire following a domestic incident.

- NZPA