Qld man seriously hurt by homemade bomb

A man was seriously injured when a homemade bomb exploded in his hands, in an incident which happened near two children, in Melbourne's north east.

Emergency crews attended an address at St Andrews about 8pm Tuesday (AEDT) following reports of an explosion.

Police believe a man from Queensland, aged in his 40s, was handling a homemade explosive device.

The man was treated for significant injuries to his hand, arm, shoulder and leg, an ambulance spokesman said.

He was flown to Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.

Two children were nearby when the explosion occurred.

They were assessed by paramedics but were not injured.