Riot breaks out in London

Police and firefighters were attacked and vehicles burned as partiers turned rioters near Fanshawe College in London.

The alcohol-fueled chaos began around 10 p.m. when police received reports of a couple different fires in the neighbourhood around Fleming Drive. A couch and bush were the first objects to be ignited.

Fire crews arrived around 11:30 p.m. but were pushed back by the crowd, who threw a barrage of bottles, rocks, and other objects, keeping them from extinguishing the fires.

Police reinforcements were called. At one point more than 50 officers in full riot gear were pushed back by the swelling numbers of rioters; early estimates range from several hundred to 1, 000 people at the riot’s peak.

A CTV news truck was at the scene, and it was overturned and set on fire. At one point a rioter threw a propane tank into the fire, but fortunately it did not cause an explosion. Shortly afterwards, at least one other vehicle was set on fire.

Rioters danced around the flames as police tried to contain the situation from getting worse, or from fires spreading to the nearby homes. There are reports that some people were treated for burns, but there is no word yet as to the extent of their injuries. There are no reports of any police officers or firefighters sustaining injuries during the event.

The crowd eventually began dispersing in the early morning and police were able to gain control of the situation around 4 a.m.

Tune in to tonight’s Evening News coverage at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. for the latest on this story.

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