Man critical after explosion in Vic

A Melbourne man is fighting for life after a tin of paint thinners he was carrying exploded in his hand.

The man received extensive burns to his face, arms, hands, torso and groin as he moved the can away from a fire he had lit in a drum to keep warm at a Sunshine North recycling yard, the MFB says.

The 43-year-old was rushed to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.