A man has been injured after a fire in a disused building next to a nursery school caused an explosion.

Police believe the fire, which took place at Hall Street in New Stevenston, North Lanarkshire, could have been deliberately set.

The incident took place at around 11.30pm on Tuesday.

No one was found after an initial search of the building, however a man attended hospital a short time later suffering from burn injuries.

The man remains at Monklands District General Hospital were medical staff describe his condition as critical but stable.

Officers have confirmed that both incidents are linked.

A section of the nearby railway was closed off on Wednesday morning as a result of the blast but has since reopened.

The building is next to Fullwood Children's Nursery.

Police have designated the area as a crime scene as investigations continue.

A spokesman said: "At around 2340 hours on Tuesday 4 July, police were called to a report of a disturbance and a fire at a disused property in Hall Street, New Stevenston.

"Initial enquiries indicate that the fire may have been deliberately set.

"Emergency services attended and the road was closed as a precaution due to the unsafe building.

"Officers are continuing enquiries and Hall Street remains closed until further notice and local diversions are in place."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We were called to a collapsed building on Hall Street in New Stevenston at approximately 11.35pm on Tuesday. Appliances are still at the scene."

Anyone with any information relating to this incident can contact police via 101.