A driver and bystander are in hospital following a car crash in Toronto's east end on Monday morning.

After the crash, the Dodge SUV burst into flames. A bystander who witnessed the crash told CTV Toronto he rushed to the vehicle and pulled the driver from the burning vehicle.

David Wagg told CTV Toronto photojournalist Byron Auburn he saw the crash in his rear-view mirror and pulled over.

He said he jumped out of his car and went over to make sure the driver was alright. Witnesses said the driver was unconscious when Wagg got to the vehicle.

"When I got there the car had started to catch on fire," Wagg said.

"His legs were on fire and I tried to bash open the windows. Someone pulled over and handed me a hatchet and I was smashing through the windows."

Wagg said some drivers who had pulled over to help had fire extinguishers in their vehicles, and were able to keep the fire under control until firefighters arrived.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and helped the men pull the 39-year-old driver out of the car. They were able to remove the driver before flames enveloped the vehicle.

"We could hear all these pops and bangs coming out of the car. The car was fully engulfed, so I guess we were lucky to get him out."

The driver was rushed to hospital, where police say he remains in non-life-threatening condition.

One of the bystanders was also transported to hospital with minor injuries, and a paramedic was treated for smoke inhalation.

It is not yet known what caused the vehicle to crash.

Car fire on Warden Ave.

Car fire on Warden Ave.