A central Hamilton petrol station is closed after a man set fire to a petrol pump before running off.

Police were called to the Z Energy petrol station on Anglesea Street about 1.30pm on Saturday after a man allegedly walked up to a petrol pump, sprayed petrol from the nozzle and set it alight with matches.

Staff and a member of the public managed to put out the blaze before the Fire Service arrived at the scene but the station had to be closed after three pumps were damaged.

Police are seeking witnesses to the incident and say the man ran south along Anglesea St and onto Clarence St.

He is described as a tall, athletic Maori man who wore a white hooded sweatshirt with a black vest and green and grey pants.