New York City police have arrested a man on murder and arson charges in the death of a woman who was set on fire inside a subway train.

The man accused of killing a woman on a New York City subway train by setting her on fire was charged with murder and arson in an initial court appearance on Tuesday.

A man has been arrested in New York in connection with the death of a woman who was set on fire on a subway train in Brooklyn. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described Sunday's incident as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being".