Massive fires raged at the Hong Kong Polytech University campus where anti-government protesters were holed up as they pelted riot police with petrol bombs, and pleaded for the “democratic world” to save them.

The campus turned into a battleground between the rioters hurling Molotov cocktails and rocks, and police deploying tear gas and water cannon, as videos from the scene early Monday morning show an inferno rising near the staircase to the building.

Poly U entrance in flames as riot police try to storm in #HK#HongKongProtests#StandwithHongKongpic.twitter.com/egcKyS4X5j — James Pomfret (@jamespomfret) November 17, 2019

Hundreds of protesters, hiding inside the building, set the entrance on fire, either on purpose or due to ‘mismanagement’ of petrol bombs, when a police raid seemed imminent.

However, after sealing the campus off to prevent ‘reinforcements’ from reaching the area, and detaining a number of protesters, authorities apparently chose not to storm the building.

Aftermath at 7am. Fire at @HongKongPolyU main entrance has been largely put out, leaving scatted flames fuelled by protesters who wants to make it as barricade. The next step of #HongKongPolice remains unclear. #HongKongProtesters#HongKongProtest#HongKongpic.twitter.com/n3OR1ty1x0 — Phoebe Kong 江穎怡 (@phoebe_kongwy) November 17, 2019

Hong Kong authorities warned that unless protesters stop using lethal weapons like Molotov cocktails, police might be forced to resort to live fire.

Protesters are still out in Jordan after 4am in an attempt to make their way to #HKPolytechnicUniversity which is under siege by the police and has hundreds, if not thousands, of student protesters there. #HKPolice#HKprotests#HongKongProtesters#antiELABhk#HongKongpic.twitter.com/u6rc4rlRyC — Mantai Chow (@mantaichow) November 17, 2019

The flare-up comes after a two-day standoff during which protesters threw petrol bombs, stones, and javelins. Some even shot arrows at police.

This video went viral on China's internet. HK looks like a battlefield tonight. Rioters attacked armored police vehicle with petrol bombs, causing it to catch fire.But police still exercise restraint. Police should be permitted to fire live rounds in this case to counter rioters. pic.twitter.com/dD9Qxl1AUf — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) November 17, 2019

Over the weekend, protesters attacked a group of volunteers who tried to help authorities clear the roadblocks and debris outside the PolyU. A man and a woman were hospitalized with head injuries as a result.

Also on rt.com Hong Kong protesters hurl PETROL BOMBS at volunteers trying to clear roadblocks and shoot ARROWS at police

The PolyU campus became one of the recent rioting hotspots in Hong Kong’s after demonstrations against an extradition law in began in March. Although the legislation was scrapped, protests have continued with violent groups among protesters vandalizing property and attacking citizens who support the government.

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