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Officers were initially called to a block of Princes Highway in St Peters after reports of a break and enter at around 1.15am today.
Police said three officers confronted two men in an underground car park before the pair got into a white Volkswagen Golf and drove off.
When officers attempted to stop the car, it drove directly at an officer, prompting the officer to fire his weapon.
Emergency services were called to an underground car park on Harris Street in Pyrmont a short time later after reports of a car fire.
More than a hundred residents were forced to evacuate.
Detective Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis said a resident of the block of St Peters raised the alarm after two men were seen behaving suspiciously.
“The front lobby window of the unit was smashed on arrival,” he said.
“We’re not sure if they entered that block, but nothing has been stolen at this stage.”
Kennis said the Volkswagen fled the scene and was later located in the Roselle area by another police car before a short chase ensued.
He said an initial investigation found the vehicle’s license plates were stolen.
At this stage, police are not sure if one of them was hit when the officer fired his firearm.
“It’s very confrontational to be pulled over and it’s not a pleasant time to discharge a firearm for any officer,” Kennis said.
“I spoke to that officer this morning, they’re doing well – they haven’t had much sleep … we’re going to support that officer and he’s going to have a lot of support around him.”
The crime scene has been established, and the vehicle is in the process of examination.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames within an hour.
There are no reports of casualties.
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