A police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to the Hoffman Court address in Waikiwi at 1.40pm today.
The driver of the vehicle was in a serious condition when they removed him from the vehicle.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews from Invercargill extinguished the heat pump fire.
Hato Hone St John took the driver to hospital, the spokeswoman said.
‘‘Further inquiries were ongoing as to exactly what happened.’’