Man refuses to climb down from a crane in Melbourne after a fire broke out at a construction site

A man refuses to get down from a crane at a Melbourne construction site as police continue tense negotiations.

Emergency services rushed to High Street in Thomastown, about 16km north of Melbourne’s CBD, about 1.45am on Friday after reports of a fire.

The fire brigade extinguished the fire, which according to the police may have been deliberately started.

While officers were on scene, officers spotted a man clinging to a crane high above the construction site.

The man refused to get out of the tap, which led to tense negotiations between him and the police.

The man was reportedly naked for some time but has since put on pants as police begin their fifth hour of negotiations.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area as High Street is closed in both directions between Main Street and Pleasant Road.

Commuters are advised to use Edgars Road or Dalton Road as alternative routes.

There’s more to come.