Asylum seekers torch buildings in Australia

SYDNEY: Asylum seekers torched nine buildings at an Australian detention centre in a night of wild riots with a handful still on rooftops on Thursday, reviving debate over the country's immigration policies.

The riots kicked off late on Wednesday at the Villawood Detention Centre in western Sydney with an estimated 100 detainees involved at the height of the drama.

Firefighters were at one stage pelted with roof tiles and pieces of furniture as they tried to douse the blazes, and riot police were called in to protect them.

A computer room, kitchen, medical facilities and a laundry were among the buildings destroyed.

The immigration department said the fires had been contained but several people remained on the roof, sitting beside a large white sign that read "we need help".

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