Power box car fire in Bellevue + video

The driver of the car that caught fire after crashing into a power transformer has been taken to Tauranga Hospital with facial injuries.

The car was seen traveling at speed down Princess St in Bellevue before it crashed into the power transformer about 11.25am.

A friend who arrived at the scene said the two occupants of the car were both 17-year-old high school students.

The passenger was uninjured.

The car and power transformer were engulfed in flames after the crash.

A reporter at the scene said black smoke was billowing from the car and powerbox on Princess Rd near the entrance to York Park.

Fire fighters were at the scene and a crowd of residents was watching.