Man who set himself alight 'disturbed'

A "deeply disturbed and upset" man is recovering in hospital after setting himself alight outside the Department of Immigration and Border Protection offices in Sydney.

The man, who is believed to be in his 30s, doused himself in petrol on Lee Street near Central Station about 1.30pm on Friday.

Police negotiated with him for up to 10 minutes before he set himself on fire.

The flames were put out with a fire extinguisher before NSW Fire and Rescue hosed the man down. He suffered superficial burns to his thighs and is being treated in hospital.

Detective Superintendent David Donohue described the man as "a deeply disturbed and upset individual".

Mr Donohue said the man was known to police, but he wouldn't comment on whether the protest related to his possible deportation.