The driver of a car police believe was drag racing in Melbourne's north has died after his car clipped another vehicle, struck a pole and burst into flames.
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Police spokeswoman Creina O'Grady said the driver was yet to be identified.
She said detectives believe two cars were driving north along Pascoe Vale Road when one clipped the other, causing it to veer off the road.
Elsewhere in Melbourne overnight:
- Police are investigating the death of a 34-year-old person who is believed to have died when he lost control of the car he was driving as he approached a bend in the road at Boisdale, near Sale.
- Firefighters were called to extinguish a fire that began in the garage of a house in Caulfield. Incense left burning in the garage and dropped into a bin was blamed for the blaze.
- A 24-year-old learner driver was caught allegedly driving unaccompanied at 140km/h, double the speed limit, in Melbourne's west about 3pm on Friday.
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For the full wrap-up of weekend police news so far, read on.
MAN DIES FOLLOWING PASCOE VALE CRASH
A drag race gone wrong has led to the death of a man in Melbourne's north.
Police believe a car that crashed into a power pole, flipped and burst into flames on Saturday morning in Pascoe Vale was involved in a drag race with another car.
Detective Sergeant Mark Amos told Nine News Melbourne it was obvious the cars were travelling at speed.
"It simply highlights the lack of experience," he said. "It's clearly obvious that these cars were travelling at speed sheerly by the fact that one of the power poles has been cut in half."
Major collision investigation unit detectives are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash on Pascoe Vale Road about 1am.
Police spokeswoman Creina O'Grady said it is believed the two cars, a white Nissan coupe and a blue Ford Focus hatchback, were travelling north along the major arterial at "high speed" when one of the vehicles clipped the other.
"As a result, the coupe left the roadway and struck a power pole near the intersection of Marks Street," she said.
"After crashing into the power pole the Nissan flipped onto its roof and burst into flames."
The driver died at the scene.
The driver of the other car, a 19-year-old Craigieburn man, is assisting police with their investigation.
Nearby resident George told Nine News Melbourne he heard two vehicles take off at the lights, and it sounded as though they were "flying".
He said he heard two loud bangs so he ran out into the street to find the car on fire. He attempted to douse the car using a garden hose but to no avail.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses. Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 33 000 or file a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
FATAL CRASH AT BOISDALE
A passer-by alerted emergency services to the scene of a fatal car crash in Boisdale, in the state's west, just before 10.30pm on Friday.
A police spokeswoman said it was believed the driver of a red Holden ute lost control of the car as it approached a bend in Boisdale-Newry Road, near the intersection of Back Valencia Creek Road.
"It appears that the utility left the roadway, travelled over a spoon drain and came to rest on its roof," she said.
The 34-year-old driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.
INCENSE THE CAUSE OF CAULFIELD GARAGE FIRE
Fire investigators say incense that had been dropped into a bin is behind a fire that broke out in the garage of a house in Caulfield.
The occupants of the house in Cranham Street called emergency services about 3.20am after hearing explosions coming from inside their garage, the door of which appeared to be melting.
Eighteen firefighters were dispatched to the scene and managed to control the fire in 17 minutes.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said the cause had been investigated and found to be some incense, which had been left burning in the garage and thrown in a bin.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze before it spread to the house.
The occupants of the house were unharmed and evacuated safely.
LEARNER DRIVER CAUGHT SPEEDING IN ST ALBANS
A 24-year-old learner driver was caught allegedly driving unaccompanied at 140km/h, double the speed limit, in St Albans on Friday afternoon.
Police say they were patrolling Taylors Road, St Albans about 3pm when they saw a black Honda coupe travelling north at high speed in a 70km/h zone.
They stopped the car at Ibsley Court and spoke to the driver who police say was driving unaccompanied.
The St Albans man's car was immediately impounded for 30 days under anti-hoon legislation at the cost of $887 to the driver.
He is expected to be charged with offences including speeding, failing to display L plates and driving without an accompanying driver.
