Manhunt for driver after car crashes into Sydney apartments and bursts into flames

Police are searching for a driver after a car crashed into an apartment complex in Sydney's west and caught fire, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate early this morning.

The blaze erupted next to the complex on Gladstone Street, Merrylands, at about 2.45am.

CCTV footage shows the car driving along a pedestrian area before it crashes into the wall.

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About 250 people were evacuated from the building as a precaution as the car was engulfed in flames.

They've since been allowed to return home.

Both NSW Police and Fire and Rescue are investigating if the crash was deliberate.

"It's very lucky, you don't know what could have occurred, you have a vehicle on fire right next to a unit complex, it could have been very dangerous," Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said.

"It's certainly unusual, it's something police need to look at."

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Fire and Rescue said they are treating the fire as suspicious because "vehicles don't usually crash into buidings and catch fire spontaneously."

There was another smaller fire at the same unit complex yesterday. They are looking into any potential links.

No injuries or damage to the building were reported.

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Police say the man was wearing a hooded jumper and a hat when he crashed the car.

Police have said the car, a Toyota Rav4, was reported stolen from Moorebank on Sunday, September 15 at 1.30am.

The fire is being treated as suspicious.

Anybody with information is urged to contact police on 1800 333 000 or online.

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