SYDNEY, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A man was arrested in downtown of Australia's Victoria state capital Melbourne late Friday afternoon, following reports of a car on fire at the busy intersection, according to state police.

The suspect was arrested at the scene and was taken to hospital under police guard in a critical condition, police said on their website.

Local media reported an explosion in the Bourke Street area, with images of the fire and hundreds of police at the scene. There were no immediate reports of casualties and authorities told the public to avoid the area.