FERGUSON (AFP, Reuters) - Police in Ferguson came under heavy gunfire from protesters enraged over a decision not to indict a white officer who killed an unarmed black teen, the St Louis county police chief said.

Chief John Belmar described a night of furious and worse than expected violence, but said no one was killed on either side. Twelve buildings were still burning hours after the grand jury verdict and 29 protesters have been arrested, he told a press conference.

The St. Louis County Police Department said later on Tuesday some 61 people were arrested during the night of unrest. People were arrested on charges ranging from unlawful assembly to arson and burglary during a night when angry crowds set fires to buildings and cars and looted businesses, while police responded with tear gas and flash-bang canisters.