Actress Anne Heche is in a “stable” condition following a crash in Los Angeles that saw her car burst into flames, her spokesperson has said.

Reports surfaced on Saturday that suggested she had been driving at speed down an LA street before crashing her car into a building and suffering severe burns.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the crash in the Mar Vista area of the city sparked a “heavy fire”, which was later put out after an hour. Crews took the driver to hospital with “critical injuries.

Heche’s spokesperson appears to have confirmed it was her in the incident, saying: “Anne is currently in a stable condition.

“Her family and friends ask for your thoughts and prayers and to respect her privacy during this difficult time.”

Adding more information about Heche’s condition, her ex-partner Thomas Jane said in a statement that she was “expected to pull through” adding, “While Anne and I are no longer an item, today’s tragic news was devastating to me and to all who love her.

“My heart goes out to Anne and her two sons. My thoughts and prayers are with Anne, one of the true talents of her generation. Thank God no one else was hurt.”

The next door neighbour of the home which was hit, who was first on the scene at the incident, told Fox News: “I saw a car speeding by in front of my house and a few moments later I heard a crash.

“[The car] went all the way through the house to the back of the house.

“The windows were broken, so I opened the back door of the car.”

“She finally answered and said she was not okay, so that was tough.”

“I know they didn’t get her out of the car until the fire was pretty much put out.”

The neighbour added he helped the person leave the home after the collision.

Heche is known for her roles in films including Psycho, Donnie Brasco and Cedar Rapids – and she previously dated Ellen DeGeneres between 1997 and 2000.