Innocent residents were the main targets of deadly attacks in Urumqi. But many of these people were protected from attacks by fellow residents. CCTV reporter takes a look how firefighters were aided by civilians in their effort to protect the public.

Firefighters and their vehicles were also targeted. Nine from the  service were injured.

Rioters set fire to buildings and attacked people in the street during the violence on Sunday. Places like supermarkets and residential houses were targeted by arsonists, and cars along the streets were burned.

It turned into a battle for local firefighters who successfully put out fires at almost 230 sites and saved over 230 trapped people.

Firefighters and their vehicles were also targeted. Nine from the service were injured. A guest house belonging to a Xinjiang firefighting unit took in frightened local residents.

On Sunday night, mobs attacked passers by near the East Gate of Xinjiang University. But medical efforts to save the victims were hampered.

One ambulance driver said "Mobs hid beside the hospital gate waiting to attack our ambulances. We needed some protection."

Local armed police helped take victims to the hospital, and watched over the ambulances.

Meanwhile, staff from a movie theatre in Urumqi welcomed injured victims to take refuge inside.

Surveillance cameras near the entrance to the company recorded victims being attacked. Staff at the company were among those helping out.

Staff of Local Movie Theatre said "I saw two people up there that night. A little girl and a man. They looked pale and scared. I asked them down, and took them to my office. They left safely the next day."

At least 22 people survived after sheltering in the company for the night. They and many others are grateful they were rescued from the violence.

(CCTV July 8, 2009)