Shocking video today (Fri) shows the burnt-out remains of a double-decker bus that was torched during a mass riot in a city suburb.

The images reveal how the public transit vehicle was reduced to a collection of blackened twisted metal after it was set alight in Harehills, Leeds, during a night of civil disturbance.

Council officials said the riots were initially sparked by an "isolated incident" where a team from social services had attended a family home during the afternoon on Thursday."

But officers were called in when a large group of neighbours surrounded the address - before an angry mob went on to damage police cars.

Rioters from other parts of the city then descended on the local area, starting fires and destroying other vehicles, they said.

Video later captured the double-decker bus ablaze as gangs of hooded youths roamed the streets.

It's understood that police were only able to quell the violence during the early hours of the morning.

Speaking today councillor Salma Arif, the executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture at Leeds City Council, called on the community to ‘come together'.

She said: "First of all what happened last night was really difficult for us all. "

"I was there in the early evening to the early hours of the morning. It was a really difficult incident. There was a lot of disorder in the community – obviously not welcome at all. "

"In terms of the incident itself, the details are emerging at this point."

"But there was an incident with a family involving care services that led to spontaneous disorder, which led to police vehicles being damaged and more crowds coming into the area and from outside the area as well. "

"Essentially, it's sort of led into the night, which caused a bus to be set on fire. "

"Thankfully, [there were] no major injuries, no residential damage or business property damage as well, so that's something to take away from it."

"In terms of today, it's about bringing the community together, moving on from what happened yesterday, supporting families, speaking to different partners, including the police, to ensure that we don't have a repeat. But also, to build back from this as a community."

Councillor Arif denied that any form of racial tension was behind the scenes of havoc that played out in the suburb during the night.

She added: "That's absolutely not the case. This was an isolated incident involving a family. "

"I can't comment on a particular case in terms of what's happened with that particular family. "

"But there was no tension in the community. It was a completely isolated incident, which led to the spontaneous disorder."