A young Afghan man has tried to set himself on fire at a Melbourne detention centre.

The 23-year-old man’s self-harm attempt at Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation centre was interrupted, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre spokeswoman Pamela Curr said. “I don’t think he was badly burnt,” she said.

The incident comes two days after the death of another Afghan man at the same detention centre. It is believed the man had set a towel on fire in his room at about 10pm on Sunday.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics were called to the detention centre in Broadmeadows at 4.30am on Monday. A spokesman from Northern hospital said the man had been discharged.

Curr said the Hazara refugee had tried to come to Australia by boat as an unaccompanied minor at age 15. He had been previously released into the community and had a job.

“He was surviving very well until the [home affairs department didn’t renew] his bridging visa, which meant he lost his job,” Curr said.

“He had nothing, no money, nowhere to live, he was sleeping in a car, he was absolutely destitute.”

Curr said the man had been back in detention for up to two years and was losing hope.

Comment has been sought from the home affairs department.

• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. In the UK Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org