Driver flees flaming car in Auckland after hitting power transformer

A driver has fled after a car crashed into a power transformer in central Auckland and caught fire.

It looked like the driver had "done a runner", a Fire and Emergency spokesman said.

The crash happened on Peach Parade, near the corner with Green Lane East in Remuera, shortly after 5am.

Remuera fire station officer Jason Orchard said when the car fire was "well involved" when crews arrived.

"Our main priority was protecting the building next to the car on fire."

The live power complicated the mission, he said. "Water and electricity don't go well together, it was just waiting for enough resources so we could extinguish the fire using class B foam."

In the meantime, firefighters set up a "water curtain" to protect the neighbouring building until they could use the firefighting foam, designed for use where water was inadequate.

Dams blocked the foam from going into drains or manholes.

The NZ Transport Agency said only one eastbound lane of Peach Parade was open because of the crash.

A witness said the car fire was across the road from a Mobil petrol station.

"Traffic is building up here already," he said.