Portland's Umet Gorgulu, 37, appeared briefly in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He has been charged with attempted murder after an incident between himself and a 47-year-old man who he resides with broke out on Thursday, April 18.

Police allege the two men, who live together in Portland, decided to travel to Hamilton together.

During the drive the pair had an argument about a mobile phone.

The verbal argument became physical and the accused exited the vehicle and was left on the road just outside Hamilton about 6pm.

Later that night the accused is alleged to have thrown petrol on the victim and set him on fire about 7.50pm.

Neighbours alerted emergency services to the incident.

The accused was treated for minor burns on his hands and left leg before he was remanded in custody.

On Tuesday, Mr Gorgulu sat in the dock at Warrnambool Magistrates Court wearing a white bandage on his left hand.

Police prosecutor Sandra Skilton initially asked for a committal hearing date for Mr Gorgulu in September.

But Mr Gorgulu's solicitor Jack Rabl asked for an earlier date.

Sergeant Skilton told the court doctors would need at least a month to ascertain whether the victim, who is in a critical but stable condition at The Alfred Hospital, would recover from his injuries.

Mr Gorgulu will appear in court again for a committal mention on August 2.

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