A woman who was grabbed from behind and set alight with an accelerant as she walked along an inner Sydney street was targeted by her attacker, police say.

The 33-year-old was walking along Chippen Street in Chippendale at around 9.45pm on Thursday, when a man set her on fire.

The Golden Flower brothel, where a woman was taken for help after a man set her alight on Regent Street. Credit:Stephanie Gardiner

The woman, whose identity has not been released, suffered significant burns to her upper body, including her face.

‘‘She had significant burns to her upper area,’’ Acting Superintendent Leanne McCusker told reporters.