The buildings housing the ministries of information, trade, education, higher education and industry were ablaze, as was the old market of Baghdad's commercial center on Rashid Street.

No firefighters or US marines were in sight to extinguish the flames.

The skyline of the capital, which US forces captured Wednesday, glowed orange as clouds of smoke billowed into the night air.

Much of the capital has been without power for days and plunged into total darkness after dusk.

The Republican Bridge over the Tigris River, which divides the city in two, was blocked by burning cars, and the few terrified pedestrians on the street asked how they could cross the river to get home.

The key bridge in the heart of the city had been the site of countless firefights between US forces on the western bank of the river, near Saddam Hussein's main presidential palace, and Iraqi fighters on the eastern side.

But the last defenders of the regime abandoned their posts Wednesday.

As darkness fell over the city center on the eastern bank of the Tigris Thursday, roving bands ran amok. Iraqi police, who had patrolled the city in force before Baghdad fell Wednesday, had vanished.

Teenagers and old men alike sacked the area street by street after the city's conquest by US forces lifted the last restraints, targeting official buildings, state-run shops and the luxury villas belonging to President Saddam Hussein's inner circle.

Buildings that had once inspired fear, such as the headquarters of the air force and the regime's formidable security apparatus, also fell prey to looters.

But sites such as hospitals and offices of the Iraqi Red Crescent were not immune, as bandits walked off with beds, operating tables and surgical instruments.

Garbage has not been picked up in more than 10 days, lining the streets and rotting in the stifling heat.

Most frightened Baghdadis chose to stay at home and the few cars on the street belonged to looters making the rounds.

Many came from Saddam City, the sprawling Shiite Muslim suburb in the north of Baghdad.

The only US forces in sight Thursday night were at the Palestine Hotel, where most foreign journalists have set up shop.

Young Marines appeared jumpy following news of a suicide bombing in Saddam City that killed at least one US soldier, giving contradictory orders to reporters who tried to enter the building.

They monitored a ring around the hotel, searching from top to bottom vehicles that came near.

When asked why they have not intervened to stop the plundering, they explained they are not under orders to do so.

SPACE.WIRE