A person is in critical condition after their vehicle crashed into a power pole and caught fire in Parklands early this morning.

A police spokeswoman told chrislynchmedia.com the crash occurred near the intersection of Prestons Road and Alpine View Lane at around 2.55am.

A St John spokeswoman said two rapid response units, an ambulance, and a manager were dispatched to the scene.

Emergency crews treated the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, before transporting them to Christchurch Hospital in critical condition.

Prestons Road was closed while emergency services responded to the incident.