A patient has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly dousing three fellow patients in accelerant and setting one alight in a busy Sydney hospital.

The “appalling” incident happened at the Prince of Wales Hospital on Tuesday night about 10.45pm.

The 48-year-old allegedly doused three other patients — two men aged 54 and 63 and a 64-year-old woman.

He then allegedly set the 54-year-old man on fire.

Nine News reports that the man’s lighter allegedly did not work until he got to the third patient – Randovan Banic.

“He was coming towards me, and then all of a sudden he f—ing doused me with petrol,” Banic told Nine.

“I smelt it but it was too late, he’d already lit me up.”

“I could just smell petrol all over my hair.

“My hair’s singed, my eyebrows … I got smoke in my eyes, just everything.

“They’ve just been pumping me with water.”

According to police, Banic was quickly extinguished by hospital staff and suffered minor burns.

He was reportedly being treated in the spinal unit before the attack. Banic was in a stable condition on Wednesday night.

The 63-year-old man and 64-year-old woman were treated for minor injuries. Both are in a stable condition.

Police charged the 48-year-old man with two counts of attempted murder, common assault and two counts of attempt to cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent.

He will face court for a bail hearing on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the hospital said there was no ongoing risk to patients and staff.

Staff responded quickly and immediately notified NSW Police, who responded to the incident, the spokesperson said.

“South Eastern Sydney Local Health District is offering support and care to the people impacted by this distressing incident,” they said.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the attack was “shocking, appalling behaviour”.

“I don’t give a damn whether someone’s under the influence of drugs, alcohol or whatever,” he said.

“It needs to be dealt with by police, and I hope the full extent of those charges are thrown at him.”

NSW opposition health spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell was deeply disturbed by the alleged incident.

“This is beyond unacceptable in NSW,” Mitchell said.

“Safety must be a non-negotiable in our public hospitals.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families, hospital staff and first responders.”

-with AAP