Child, 3, left in burning car *stolen by father* on Great Eastern Highway (ABC)

A three-year-old child has been seriously injured after being left in a burning car allegedly stolen by her father.

The girl was pulled from the flames by police after the vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier on the Great Eastern Highway in Perth's outer north-east suburbs.

She was taken by ambulance to Princess Margaret Hospital where she is in a serious but stable condition.

The drama unfolded when police were called to a house in Ellenbrook shortly after 10pm (AWST) last night after reports of a serious assault and a man damaging the property.

Before officers arrived the man allegedly stole a car and left the scene, taking his young daughter.

Police had concerns for the child's safety due to her father's behaviour and fears he may have been driving while intoxicated.

The vehicle was spotted being driven with the headlights turned off on Lloyd Street in Midland about 11pm.

Officers said they attempted to stop the car, but the driver refused to pull over.

"Due to the fact there was a child in the vehicle, officers did not engage in a pursuit, but attempted to monitor the movements of the vehicle," a police spokesman said.

Soon after, the car was found crashed and in flames near the intersection of the Great Eastern Highway with Roe Highway.

The child was still inside the burning car, and the man had left the scene.

Midland police officers pulled the child from the wreckage and she was taken to hospital.

It is also believed the car crashed into a Toyota Yaris on the Great Eastern Highway before hitting the barrier.

Police later found the man on Beaconsfield Avenue in Midvale.

He was arrested and taken to Swan District Hospital.

A 25-year-old man from East Victoria Park has been charged over the incidents.

They included aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, being armed in a way that could cause fear, criminal damage, stealing a motor vehicle, no authority to drive, failure to stop and driving in excess of 0.08 per cent.

The man is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today, but may require a bedside hearing, the police spokesman said.

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