A man has been arrested after a body with “significant burns” was found in front of a burning home in Sydney’s west.

Police responding to calls of a fire in Glenmore Park made the grisly discovery outside a home on Wargon Crescent in shortly before 1am on Thursday.

The body of a man believed to be in his 60s was found in the carport of the home and described by police as having “numerous injuries and significant burns”.

NSW Police Superintendent Trent King said officers hadn’t “confirmed identification” of the man, but they believed he and the man arrested were related.

“We understand there are numerous injuries to that person. Our understanding is that our victim is a resident of that location, the other man is not, Mr King said.

“There is no history of domestic violence between the two parties.”

Superintendent King said it would be hard to tell how the victim died until forensic examinations were finished, calling the extent of the injuries “distressing”.

“Until we have forensic examinations of the deceased, it’s very hard to indicate what the cause of death was,” he said.

“He is known to police … he has a criminal history that makes him well known to police, but there’s nothing related to his relationship with the victim.

“There appears to have been an altercation between the two parties there following a break and enter. The front door was forced.”

Police said an accelerant had been used to fuel the flames, the 36-year-old had been co-operative during the arrest and the initial calls to police had been about a house fire.

It is understood a car – a blue Commodore – was set alight first, with the blaze spreading to the home.

A criminal investigation was launched shortly after emergency services arrived on scene and put out a blaze that had engulfed a section of the house.

The 36-year-old man was arrested about 6.45am after he was found by police inside a car on Parkes Ave in Werrington.

He was treated for minor injuries by paramedics before being taken to Nepean Hospital where he remains under police guard.

No charges have been laid.

Anybody with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

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