Fire crews from two Bristol fire stations had to get police protection to tackle fires in the city centre tonight as an evening of rioting continued long into the night.
Bedminster and Temple fire stations sent crews into the city centre to tackle fires in police vehicles started by rioters, protesting about the Police and Crime Bill.
A spokesperson for Bedminster Fire Station said: "Bedminster and Temple are currently assisting police in the city centre with fires set by protesters.
"Police (are) doing a fantastic job at keeping crews safe as we go and extinguish vehicle fires," he added.
Firefighters were initially held back from the first fire of the evening - when a police van that had been driven into the crowd of protesters and left there, was eventually set on fire by a number of rioters.
By the time the area was safe enough for the firefighters to enter, they could no more than dampen down the blaze.
Later, just off nearby Nelson Street, a police 4x4 that had been parked by an officer in the street around the corner from the SWX nightclub, was partially damaged by fire, and extinguished by fire crews.
A couple of hours later in the evening, as rioters roamed the streets, it was again set on fire and this time burnt out before fire crews could save it.
Two police officers suffered broken bones and there were reports of a number of protesters were also hospitalised, along with others injured by pepper spray in violent clashes outside Bridewell police station on Sunday night.
More stories from Bristol:
How Kill the Bill protest became a violent night of riots in Bristol
Life under the M32: A look inside an encampment by a busy roundabout
