Up to 10 shots were fired during serious rioting in north Belfast last night, according to residents. The shooting happened after rival groups of nationalists and loyalists gathered on the Ardoyne and Hesketh Roads.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said that it had received reports of shooting in the area around 7 p.m. but could not confirm the incident. No one was reported to have been injured.
Police officers in riot gear and British soldiers were attacked with petrol bombs, fireworks and other missiles when they moved in to try to separate the rival crowds.
A PSNI spokesman said a "tense stand-off" had developed.
A garden shed at the back of a house in Alliance Avenue was set on fire with a crude device, believed to have been a petrol bomb. A loud bang heard was understood to have been a home heating oil tank exploding.
Loyalists and nationalists blamed each other for starting the trouble. Local SDLP councillor Mr Martin Morgan said loyalists were clearly responsible. "Loyalists have fired bricks, bottles, fireworks, iron bars and bolts at nationalists over police lines.
"Nationalist residents are only on the streets because they are fearful of their homes being attacked."
Local Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly said there had been trouble in the area for three successive nights.