Police hunt masked robber who sprayed Melbourne service station attendant with petrol

Police are searching for a masked robber who sprayed a Melbourne service station worker with petrol and threatened to set him on fire if he didn't hand over cash.

The robber, armed with petrol in a plastic bottle and also a large knife, walked into the Springvale Road service station at Glen Waverley in the early hours of Sunday.

Police have released security camera vision of the wanted man approaching the counter at about 4:30am.

The attendant handed over a small amount of cash and was not injured.

Detective Senior Constable Jason Stewart said the incident was unusual.

"The threat of being set on fire was imminent and the attendant was certainly in fear of his life,” Senior Constable Stewart said.

The man is understood to be of Caucasian appearance and middle-aged. 

He was wearing a hood and a high-visibility yellow windcheater, dark track pants and a dust mask on his face. 

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au