A fire in East Lismore caused by a burning car started in a police pursuit through the streets of Lismore on Sunday.

Read the earlier story: BREAKING NEWS: Fire in East Lismore

Photos from the fire taken by East Lismore residents were sent to The Lismore App.

Richmond Police District Acting Inspector Anthony Smith said police had received complaints about the driver’s erratic driving, before the police began pursuit down Ballina Road, to Lismore Heights, then back to Goonellabah.

“It involved a two minute pursuit with police about 30 minutes before the car was set on fire,” Act Insp Smith said.

“The police involved stopped the pursuit because of the danger to the public it was creating.

“The car was crossing onto the wrong side of the road and travelling at fast speed, which caused extreme danger to oncoming motorists.”

Act Insp Smith said the car driver had then taken the car down the back track into a bushland remnant behind Lismore cemetery. 

The car fire also caused the surrounding nature corridor, with its koala food trees, to burn – and nearby residents were fearful that the fire could spread to their homes.

The fire was eventually extinguished by the Rural Fire Service.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.