Two fleeing drivers crash into houses in separate incidents

Two fleeing drivers have crashed into houses in separate incidents this morning.

Police began pursuing a "suspicious vehicle" in Upper Hutt about 7.50am this morning after it failed to stop for police.

A short time later it crashed into a house on Moeraki Road and ruptured a gas main.

The occupant of the house and surrounding neighbours have been evacuated as a precaution while the leak is fixed.

The occupant was not harmed but is being offered support by police and other services.

The driver of the car has been taken to hospital for assessment.

Meanwhile, a man is on the run after the car he was driving smashed into a home in Auckland's Papatoetoe about 4am this morning, setting it alight.

The car hurtled into the Housing New Zealand house on the corner of Tui and Caspar road.

The house and car caught fire.

No injuries were reported.

A police spokeswoman said the driver fled and a police dog was unable to track him.

The car was removed from the house and fire crews extinguished the blaze.