An inner-west Sydney suburb has been placed under lockdown after a man allegedly armed with a shotgun set fire to a stolen car before escaping on foot.
Emergency services were called to a car park on Williams Parade in Dulwich Hill after reports of a stolen vehicle.
Police arriving at the scene were told a man inside the vehicle had a firearm and deliberately ignited the car.
Police said the man fled on foot and was last spotted on Union Street.
Nearby businesses and cafes were ordered into lockdown, while Dulwich Hill Public School was also secured. Residents said children at the school hid beneath their desks.
Public transport was suspended in the area and residents were urged to remain indoors as officers began searching for the suspect.
Police have launched a major manhunt.
Witnesses told 9News the man was believed to be carrying a sawn-off shotgun. Some also reported seeing an altercation involving several people before the vehicle caught fire.
Parts of Dulwich Hill, in Sydney’s inner west, are in lockdown after reports of an armed man
Heavily armed officers and tactical police, supported by police helicopters, were deployed near Williams Parade and Constitution Road on Friday morning
A manhunt is underway for a suspect believed to be armed with a sawn-off shotgun
Firefighters extinguished the burning vehicle, and no injuries have been reported.
A crime scene has been established, with local roads closed and motorists advised to avoid the area.
Light rail services between Dulwich Hill and Lilyfield have also been suspended.
Heavily armed tactical officers were seen combing the area alongside police helicopters.
Police described the suspect as a Caucasian man in his 20s, approximately 160cm tall, with a thin build and shaggy hair.
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He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and long black pants.
Inner West Police Area Command Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald said officers had carried out an extensive search but were unable to find the man.
“An extensive search was conducted by PolAir, police on the ground and our dog squad, which did not locate the male,” Fitzgerald told reporters.
“The streets have been locked down to continue the search.”
Superintendent Fitzgerald warned the public to not approach the man and to call police immediately if he is spotted.
‘Do not approach this person,’ Fitzgerald said. ‘We understand he is armed with a shotgun’.
She confirmed emergency services received one report of a man with a shotgun and that ‘no shots were fired’ at the scene despite earlier reports.
Three witnesses, who were at the scene and confirmed the man was armed, were threatened with the weapon.
‘They were threatened with a weapon as they were trying to leave the area,’ Fitzgerald said.
Superintendent Fitzgerald also confirmed the vehicle the armed man was in was a van, which was stolen from the Inner West Area Command ‘days ago’.
The van has since been spotted by members of the public in the last half hour.
Forensic investigators are at the crime scene and police have established a large exclusion area as they continue the man hunt.
Some units remain on lockdown and many locals who live in the area are being escorted by police back to their homes.
Traffic in the area is also locked down, while traffic control authorities are set to assess the Light Rail closures over the next few hours.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Inner West Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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