A MAN is fighting for life after being set alight as he slept in his bed.

The incident happened in Brisbane’s southeast about 9am.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman told news.com.au a 65-year-old man was seen running out of a Capalaba home “on fire” after having an accelerant poured on him.

“Members of the public have extinguished the fire and the man has been taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition.”

The man was asleep in bed at a Teasdale Road home when an accelerant was poured on him, police said.

A 34-year-old man, known to the 65-year-old, is assisting police.

andrew.koubaridis@news.com.au