Disturbances broke out in Leeds on Thursday evening, leading to a police vehicle overturning and local residents being advised to stay at home.
Footage posted on social media showed people throwing objects at a police vehicle before it was knocked over in Harehills, east of the city centre.
Video posted on X showed vehicles, including a bus, on fire.
By 10.30pm police had withdrawn from the scene, but the helicopter remained in the air over Harehills.
A bus had been set on fire on Foundry Approach and was still burning, flames towering over the red-brick houses and thick black smoke visible for miles around.
Occasionally there was the sound of people throwing explosives, and with each explosion small crowds screamed and ran away.
Another small fire at the junction of Harehills Lane was put out by people throwing debris.
The commotion drew people from outside the area, some of whom drove by to see what was going on.
One witness, Usman, said he saw police withdrawing earlier in the day to calm the scene.
He said: “Police decided to withdraw and I spoke to the sergeant and he said they had decided to withdraw to allow the situation to calm and the fire was starting to die down.”
“Then the riot police came and everything exploded. Bricks were thrown, the riot police retreated, and then they set the bus on fire.”
Local people on the streets surrounding the scene offered shelter and refreshments to people on the street.
“This is too much,” said one local woman. “I’ve never seen anything like this here.”
Her friend added: “It looks like a scene from a movie.”
West Yorkshire Police said there was a large police presence at the scene but no reports of injuries.
Officers were called to the incident at an address on Luxor Street at 5pm on Thursday and found an “ongoing disturbance” involving an agency worker and children.
More people began to gather at the scene and the agency staff and children were taken to safety.
More officers were requested to be sent to the area where crowds were beginning to gather and “signs of disorder” were occurring.
West Yorkshire Police said: “More officers have been sent to the scene to assist in solving this incident.”
“Some roads have also been closed and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.”
Gipton and Harehills councillor Salma Arif warned residents to stay at home in a video posted on social media alongside the local policing inspector for East Leeds.
Mr Arif said: “There is currently an ongoing situation in Harehills, we are aware of it and police are here.”
“At this time, we ask everyone in the community to stay home.”
The inspector added: “If you stay where you are and stay at home we can deal with the situation. If you are in crowds we ask you to go home to keep you safe.”
A spokesman for First Bus Leeds said two of its vehicles were involved in the disturbance but no drivers or passengers were injured.
“Our depot team quickly arrived on scene to provide support to the driver and customer.
“We can confirm that both drivers are uninjured and there are no reports of any injuries to passengers.
“One of our vehicles was set on fire but was empty as all passengers, along with the driver, had already boarded another bus.
“For the safety of our staff and customers we are diverting all services from this area of Harehills. We will follow police advice to decide when to resume normal routes and will keep customers updated as soon as possible.”
