Queensland police say they had no option but to shoot when a burning man ran at officers on Brisbane's southside overnight.

It has been alleged the man had doused himself and others in fuel at a house in Sunnybank Hills before fleeing about 9:00pm on Monday.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said the man was found about an hour later in a carpark inside a car when officers tried to negotiate with him.

He was shot dead by police.

"During the course of the negotiations we will allege the man set himself on fire," Detective Superintendent Fleming said.

"The man came from his vehicle and we will allege he then ran at police and unfortunately it was necessary for a police officer to discharge his firearm on the man — he was burning at the time as he ran at police.

"Subsequently police extinguished the fire on the man and police obviously called for ambulance and rendered assistance to him and the ambulance attended and transported the man towards the hospital but sadly he died on his way to hospital.

"As in all circumstances where there is a police shooting, the police Ethical Standards Command has commenced an investigation in conjunction with the Crime and Corruption Commission and this is an investigation which will proceed to the coroner."