Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa amid reports of rioting, as rare street protests led by Buddhist monks appeared to gather pace.

One eyewitness told the BBC how large groups of people were setting fire to cars and shops and destroying anything of Chinese influence.

The US embassy in Beijing said US citizens had reported hearing gunfire.

Rallies have continued all week in what are thought to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.

The eyewitness who spoke to the BBC said there was a thick pall of smoke hanging over the city.

The US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said at least one police car had been set on fire on Friday.

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ICT spokeswoman Kate Saunders said her group had received reports that the Tromsikhang market in Barkor Street - a busy commercial neighbourhood - was either on fire or had burnt down.

"It seems that lay people have now become involved in the protests," she said.

Another eyewitness told the BBC how security forces and monks clashed on Wednesday, with several monks being beaten.

He said about 300 monks had tried to leave the Sera monastery to protest but security forces brandishing clubs stopped them and at least one monk was beaten to the ground.

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