Innocent residents were the main targets of deadly attacks in Urumqi. But many of these people were protected from attacks by fellow residents. CCTV reporter takes a look how firefighters were aided by civilians in their effort to protect the public.

Rioters set fire to buildings and attacked people in the street during the violence on Sunday. Places like supermarkets and residential houses were targeted by arsonists, and cars along the streets were burned.

It turned into a battle for local firefighters who successfully put out fires at almost 230 sites and saved over 230 trapped people.

Firefighters and their vehicles were also targeted. Nine from the service were injured. A guest house belonging to a Xinjiang firefighting unit took in frightened local residents.

On Sunday night, mobs attacked passers by near the East Gate of Xinjiang University. But medical efforts to save the victims were hampered.