A man accused of setting 40 poker machines alight at a hotel south of Brisbane has been remanded in custody for his own safety.

Firefighters were called to the Royal Hotel in Beenleigh about 8:30pm yesterday after receiving reports of a gaming room fire.

Police said a 21-year-old patron had earlier left the pub but returned with a container of petrol.

It is alleged he poured the petrol over the poker machines and then set them on fire.

The Queensland Police Service said three poker machines were destroyed by the fire while 37 others were damaged beyond repair from exposure to chemicals.

The Beenleigh man has been charged with endangering particular property by fire and appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court today.

Police prosecutors said the man had earlier made threats to harm himself and others.

Magistrate Gary Finger remanded the man in custody for his own protection.