In Pictures: Protests after Ferguson verdict

Flames engulfed businesses and vehicles in Ferguson early on Tuesday as gunfire kept firefighters at bay after protests over the decision not to indict a police officer in Michael Brown’s death turned violent.

Protesters smashed windows of police cars and buildings, several of which were later looted and set ablaze.

Police lobbed teargas from inside armoured vehicles to disperse crowds in scenes reminiscent of the early days of unrest that followed the August 9 shooting.

But the violence that followed Monday’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, who is white, in the death of the unarmed black 18-year-old quickly took a more destructive turn – a storage facility, two auto parts stores, a beauty supply store and pizza shop were just some of the businesses that were burned.