An man who set fire to a bank in suburban Melbourne in November 2016 – seriously injuring four people inside – has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Nur Islam pleaded guilty to a total of 16 charges, including arson and recklessly causing serious injury.

Security camera footage from the time shows Islam tossing petrol around the entrance of the Commonwealth Bank in Springvale, in Melbourne’s south-east, on November 18, 2016.

He then set the petrol alight with a cigarette lighter.

Judge Howard Mason noted Islam’s offending had been captured on numerous cameras up and down Springvale Road.

“[It] constitutes dramatic and sickening viewing,” he said.

Islam’s actions caused “panic, confusion and danger” inside the bank, Judge Mason said.

“There appears to be no rational explanation for your bizarre and callous actions.”

The court heard his behaviour had changed in the months before the fire.

On the day, he became frustrated when he could not take money out of his account because of problems with his bank card.

The 24-year-old, an asylum seeker from Myanmar, must serve a minimum of seven years in jail before becoming eligible for parole.

-ABC