Police say a worker scalded by hot tar in the city's east end is in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The incident happened shortly after 7:30 a.m. Monday near Danforth and Logan avenues.

According to emergency officials, a male worker was inside a truck that was carrying extremely hot tar when the vat spilled and scalded the man.

"The vehicle was westbound. It did come to a sudden stop and following that, there was tar spilled in the vehicle which unfortunately coated the person that was inside," Const.  Clint Stibbe told CP24 Monday.

Toronto Fire crews worked for more than an hour to extricate the man from the tar, which had begun to solidify around him.

By about 9 a.m., crews were finally able to remove the man from the vehicle.

Stibbe said the man was conscious and speaking to firefighters during the extrication.

"Obviously the amount of injuries he suffered as a result of the tar getting on him are just tremendous," Stibbe said.

The victim, who is believed to be 46 years old, was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital's burn unit.

Toronto Fire Platoon Chief Dave Denysek told CP24 that it was very difficult to extricate the man from the truck.

"We took out the side of the truck to gain better access and we suspended some straps from the top to support the victim as we cut him free. He was encased in tar. As time was going by, it actually started to solidify around him," Denysek said.

"This is a very unusual type of extrication. As soon as the heat source was away from the tar, it begins to harden up which complicates it further." 

No firefighters were injured during the rescue.

Police say the area is expected to be closed for the next few hours.

The company where the man is employed was not immediately clear.

The Ministry of Labour will be called in to investigate.