SYDNEY, July 21 (Xinhua) -- An elderly Australian man has been arrested after driving his car into a police station late Thursday.
New South Wales state police Assistant Commissioner Dennis Clifford told reporters late Thursday night a man had crashed his car into the Merrylands police station's roller doorway in western Sydney, before being arrested and transferred to hospital in a serious condition.
Clifford said police attempted to question the man as to why he was parked in the police station's driveway, before the car, which contained an accelerant, ignited in flames and was deliberately crashed into the entrance to the station's basement.
Due to the nature of the incident, local media initially reported it was a failed terror attack.
Australia, a staunch ally of the United State's war in Iraq and Syria, has been on heightened alert for home grown terrorists, with the Merrylands' station in particular subject to multiple threats.
While it's understood the man, aged in his 60s, is known to police, he does not have any direct links to terror organizations.
"There's nothing to indicate this is anywhere related to terrorism," Clifford said, though investigators will "keep an open mind" and not rule it out at this stage.
Australia's national broadcaster reported the man may have mental health issues.
Authorities have cordoned off the area while members of the police bomb disposal unit and fire authorities render the area safe and examine the vehicle.
No other members of the public or police were injured in the incident.
