Manhunt after ute rams into shop in Sydney’s southwest, starts fire

The search is on for a ute driver who smashed through the front of a shop in the dead of night while residents slept upstairs.

A manhunt is underway after a ute smashed through the front entrance of a roadside shopfront in the middle of the night as residents slept above.

The ute caused horror scenes in Sydney’s southwest as flames roared following the collision.

An ute rammed into a shop front in Sydney’s southwest. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Emergency services were called to Meadows Road in Mount Prtichard at about 1am.

The silver ute which had rammed into the front of the shop was found by police bearing no registration plates.

A fire also erupted at the site. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

A blaze tore through the scene shortly after the crash, causing significant damage before it was extinguished by firefighters.

Photos taken at the scene show the front of the store smashed in, as goods tumble onto the footpath.

Police are searching for the ute driver now. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The driver fled the scene before police arrived.

Residents living above the shop were evacuated, but no injuries have been reported.

Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.