Baltimore erupts in riots after funeral of black man who died in police custody

Baltimore erupted in violence on Monday as hundreds of rioters looted stores, burned buildings and injured at least 15 police officers following the funeral of a 25-year-old black man who suffered a spinal injury while in police custody.

The riots broke out just blocks from the funeral of Freddie Gray and spread through much of West Baltimore in the most violent protests against police treatment of African Americans since arson and gunfire in Ferguson, Missouri, last year.

A state of emergency was declared by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, who sent in the National Guard, and a curfew was imposed in the largely black city from Tuesday night, with exceptions for work and medical emergencies.

Firefighters battled several blazes on Monday evening, including one that consumed a church's senior centre under construction in East Baltimore. Police said looting, fires and attacks against officers continued through the night