Attackers set fire to a railway station at the height of overnight rioting in the Redfern neighbourhood following the death of 17-year-old Aborigine Thomas Hickey.

Hickey's mother claimed her son died when he fell from his bicycle and was impaled on a fence while being chased by police. Police denied they were chasing him.

Hundreds of police in full riot gear doused the rioters with high-pressure water hoses during the fighting.

The injured police officers mostly suffered broken bones while one was knocked out after being hit by a flying brick. There was no immediate word on injuries to rioters.

Four alleged rioters were arrested and charged with involvement in the fighting. Assistant commissioner Bob Waites said they expected to make more arrests in coming days.

New South Wales state political leader Premier Bob Carr ordered an investigation into the cause of the riot and said the state coroner would probe Hickey's death and any possible police involvement.