Sydney man charged over police stand-off

A man has been charged after police were splashed with petrol while trying to stop him cutting down a power pole with a chainsaw in Sydney's west.

The 51-year-old tried to cut down the pole outside his Riverstone home on Tuesday morning following a dispute with an energy provider, police say.

He then allegedly threw petrol at three officers, leaving one officer in hospital with petrol in his eyes.

Officers say they attempted to subdue the man with capsicum spray and a Taser, but the petrol ignited and the man caught fire.

Police extinguished the flames before the man went back inside his Regent Street home and refused to come out.

The man surrendered after about 45 minutes of negotiations and was taken to Westmead Hospital under police guard.

He remains in hospital and was charged at a bedside hearing on Wednesday afternoon with numerous offences including burning using a corrosive fluid and resisting police.

He's due to appear at Penrith Local Court next month.