Police say a terrifying home invasion in Sydney’s south-west that left a man in hospital with a gunshot wound was a targeted attack.

They are hunting seven masked intruders who forced their way into a home in Carnes Hill in Sydney’s south-west overnight on Monday, and “terrorised” the occupants.

Superintendent Adam Whyte from the Liverpool City Police Area Command said the intruders arrived at the home in Mary Wade Place in two vehicles about 12.30am.

“They were wearing face coverings and balaclavas. Three … were armed with either a machete, shotgun, or a pistol,” he said.

“They’ve entered the home and terrorised the four occupants in that home, who were aged between 25 and 51. During that time, they demanded money.

“At some point, the firearm was discharged into a 25-year-old male.”

“On exiting the house, one of the [invaders] has fired a shotgun into the side of a vehicle which was parked in the front of the house, and has … used an accelerant to set fire to the front door,” Whyte said.

The injured man was taken to Liverpool Hospital, where he remained on Tuesday.

Whyte said there were also “scuffles” between the intruders and the occupants of the house.

“Obviously this is an extremely upsetting incident for them. They’ve had seven persons burst into their home. It would be, you know, nothing short of catastrophic,” he said.

“We believe it’s targeted, from the information we’ve been able to identify thus far.”

Police continue to investigate the incident.

Whyte refused to say if they believed it was linked to another home invasion at nearby Hinchinbrook last week or a car fire in the area on Tuesday.

He urged people to secure valuables and their homes.

Police have appealed for anyone with any information, or who has dashcam footage, to contact Liverpool Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.