A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said initial reports were that the car was on fire.

At the scene they found a car crashed into a pole, and no fire, but it is believed a small fire was extinguished by a local.

In Nelson, one person was killed and three people were taken to Nelson Hospital with serious injures following a crash in Stoke.

The crash occurred on Whakatu Drive shortly after 12.30am.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Andrew Norris said one person was trapped in the car and firefighters had to pull them out.

Those injured were aged from their mid-20s to 30s.

Fixed wing planes with intensive care teams have been sent to take two or three patients to Wellington or Christchurch.