Watch thugs set bus on FIRE using cigarette lighters in shocking riot vid
THIS is the shocking moment a bus is set alight using cigarette lighters during chaotic scenes in Leeds.
Riots broke out in Harehill, Leeds, last night as hundreds of thugs flipped a police car before setting the double-decker ablaze.
Residents were left terrified and cops forced to flee as rioters took hold of the area at around 5pm.
In the carnage, kids were seen hurling projectiles towards an abandoned bus left with smashed windows.
A man wearing a light blue top and shorts is then seen reaching through the shattered glass using a lighter.
Moments later, a fire begins spreading within the double-decker before thick black plumes of smoke start rising from the vehicle.
A large group of onlookers, including children, are seen filming the entire incident.
A man in a blue hoodie and red shorts then throws a number of bin bags into the burning bus, causing the blaze to erupt further.
Broken glass is seen strewn across the road as witnesses ask “what are you doing?” to one of the men involved.
In other footage that has emerged, a man is seen placing a lighter to the engine at the rear of the bus.
First Bus confirmed one of the company’s vehicles was set on fire, while a second was also caught up in the chaos.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Two of our vehicles have been caught up in the public disorder in the Harehills area of Leeds this evening.
“We can confirm that both drivers are unhurt and we have no reports of injuries to passengers.
“One of our vehicles has been set on fire but was empty as the customers had earlier been transferred to another bus together with the driver.”
The spokesperson said all services are being diverted from the area of Harehills caught up in disorder.
Police are understood to have been called to a “disturbance” between “agency workers and some children”.
But riots then broke out when two children were forcibly removed and taken into care.
A large crowd soon gathered and soon turned violent, flipping a police car onto its side.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the “shocking scenes and attacks”.
She added: “I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight.
“Disorder of this nature has no place in our society.”
A local restaurant owner said the chaos was linked to local children being taken into care.
They added that some people in the community responded by setting fires and “throwing stones”.
Riesa, a pharmacy dispenser, said she witnessed “quite violent” scenes, including watching people throwing items at police officers and cars.
The 26-year-old added: “They were attacking police cars, throwing things at the police cars – anything they could pick up off the floor really. Rocks from the garden, rubbish, drinks, anything.
“My husband said that they were pulling bins from people’s businesses or houses and just putting them into the middle of the road full of rubbish and just setting it on fire.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.