Inmates set fire to detention centre

Rioters at an Australian immigration detention centre have set fire to several buildings, climbed onto rooftops and hurled tiles at officials who are scrambling to bring the protest to an end.

Immigration officials said up to 100 detainees at Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre were involved in the riots that began on Wednesday night.

Nine buildings were gutted by fire. Firefighters brought the blaze under control early today and no one was injured. Seven detainees remained on the roof of one of the complex's buildings today.

Many of the detainees at the centre are asylum seekers. Others are people who have overstayed their visas.

Immigration department spokesman Sandi Logan said he does not know what sparked the protest.