More than 200 hundred people have been evacuated from housing commission flats in Fitzroy after a fire. 

A man is in a critical condition and four others are also in hospital following the fire.

Fire crews were called around 5am to Napier Street.

A mattress was set on fire on the sixth floor of the building, the corridor quickly filled with smoke. 

Residents say they heard explosions and people screaming on the sixth floor of the commission flats.

Paramedics assessed 50 people, three were taken to hospital.

One man, believed to be a resident, has serious burns to his face and arms and is in a critical condition.

At least one man has serious injuries following suspicious fire in Fitzroy commission flats. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/513U3MpMsg

? Pat Mitchell (@patty_mitchell) March 28, 2017