A man was rushed to hospital after an ‘explosion’ closed a major road.

Firefighters were called to a fire at a three-storey house converted into flats on Minster Road, just off Shoot-Up Hill between Cricklewood and Kilburn, today (March 25) at 10.47am.

A flat on the ground floor was damaged by the blaze.

Six people fled the building before firefighters arrived, but one man required hospital treatment.

The London Ambulance Service says that paramedics treated a patient at the scene before bringing him to a major trauma centre as a priority.

A London Air Ambulance helicopter also landed near Hampstead School to assist with the incident.

While it is not known what caused the fire, the London Ambulance Service called it an “explosion”.

Shoot-Up Hill was blocked both ways while firefighters worked at the scene, causing traffic queues.

A detour operation was in place for many bus routes including the 16, 32, 189 and 316.

Drivers were advised to find alternative routes, while people in the area were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Despite being in close proximity to Hampstead School, it’s understood that children were not evacuated.

The fire was eventually extinguished by 12.26pm and crews remained on site to continue dampening the building.

The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire is under investigation.