A driver's licence bearing the name of Christopher Dorner has been found inside the burned cabin where the murder suspect was thought to have been hiding.

Charred human remains discovered inside the property in California's Big Bear Lake area have not yet been identified and forensic tests are being carried out.

Dorner, an ex-policeman suspected of three murders, is believed to have taken shelter in the cabin with an arsenal of weapons after a gunfight with officers.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said two deputies were injured in the shootout, one of whom died from his injuries.

The noise of the gun battle was broadcast by KCAL-TV, whose reporter suddenly found himself near the scene. Someone could be heard yelling at him to get out of the area.

A law enforcement official said a single shot was heard as police moved in on the cabin.

The suspect did not come out of the property as it was engulfed in flames.

It is not yet clear whether the fire was started from inside or by police officers who were firing bullets and tear gas canisters at the cabin.

In one audio clip purporting to be a police scanner conversation, a male voice can be heard saying: "All right, Steve, we're gonna go, er, we're gonna go forward with the plan, with, er, with the burn. We want it, er, like we talked about.

"Seven burners deployed and we have a fire."

It is unclear whether "the burn" refers to tear gas.

Authorities focused their hunt for Dorner in the mountains after he apparently launched a campaign to exact revenge against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for sacking him.