A man has been flown to Christchurch hospital with serious burns to his body following an explosion in an industrial shed near Oxford.

A St John spokeswoman says emergency crews were alerted to the incident just before 4 this afternoon on Woodside Road in Coopers Creek.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman says witnesses heard a large explosion, moments after the first emergency call was made regarding the fire.

He says when crews arrived on scene, a large industrial shed, about 100 metres long was well ablaze.

One man was flown to hospital by the Westpac Rescue helicopter with serious burns to his body and suffering smoke inhalation.

The Fire and Emergency spokesman says there’s nothing to suggest the fire or subsequent explosion is suspicious.

Five fire crews remain at the scene.