At least two cars were set ablaze and objects were hurled at police after a traffic accident Monday night in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, grew into what officials described as \u201clarge scale disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officers were called to the scene of a crash on Snowden Road in Ely district shortly after 6 p.m. Monday. Scenes livestreamed on YouTube showed dozens of people, many wearing hoods or ski masks, milling around while others threw objects and shot off fireworks at a line of police officers with riot shields who were blocking one end of the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 8:21 p.m., South Wales Police urged people to leave the area and tweeted: \u201cThere is now a large number of officers working to manage the collision, but also to de-escalate ongoing disorder at the scene.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An hour later, police said emergency services remained at the scene and reiterated the importance of people staying away from the area. The force added: \u201cPlease avoid speculation \u2014 we will bring you the latest details as soon as we can \u2014 all of our updates must be factual.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 11:15 p.m., South Wales Police provided a further update that officers remained at the scene to manage \u201clarge scale disorder,\u201d again urging people to steer clear of the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A fire was burning and a helicopter could be heard hovering overhead. Shortly before midnight, a car was set on fire and burned fiercely, while a second vehicle was overturned and set ablaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 1:10 a.m., police tweeted that arrests were being made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to one of the senior officers at the scene, a member of the public was mistaken for an undercover officer and attacked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police, including officers on horseback, were seen outside Ely Police Station in the early hours of Tuesday after suggestions it could be targeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n