Methamphetamine probe after driver and car burn

A man fleeing police may have been trying to destroy evidence of drug manufacturing when he caught fire, suffering serious burns to his body.

The 37-year-old was yesterday in Middlemore Hospital with extensive burns after his car went up in flames north of Whangarei on Tuesday.

The man was being pursued by police, who were called to investigate a cannabis crop at a property at Matarau.

Detective Inspector Chris Scahill said a vehicle left the address and refused to stop for police.

The driver was followed at speeds of between 60km/h and 70km/h and appeared to be "igniting something in the front seat", he said.

"When the vehicle had stopped, and as the occupant was getting out of it, the vehicle suddenly burst into flames.

"The driver of the car was also seen to be on fire. [He] was then seen to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames, he then got up, climbed a farm gate and attempted to run off over farm land."

He was caught a short distance away.

Mr Scahill said chemicals and other items used to manufacture methamphetamine were found in the burned-out car.

"It is too early to say whether the stuff has ignited spontaneously after he has thrown it into the car, or whether he has deliberately set it alight to destroy evidence."

The car and the property were being examined by scientists and police clandestine lab staff.

The injured man has not yet been charged. Another man has been charged with cultivation of cannabis.