There were bullets flying everywhere and not a single armed vehicle came to interfere

Hutu resident

They said it was the work of the National Liberation Front, which has refused to sign a ceasefire or participate in the power-sharing government inaugurated in November.

Residents said that six people, including one women were killed but local administrator Bernard Bagirimbereka said four lives had been lost.

Tenga has been the scene of violent clashes in recent weeks, in which over 60 soldiers and 200 rebels have been killed.

Protecting

Residents complained that the Tutsi-dominated army had ignored them during the raid, which lasted for more than seven hours.

"Up to 0300 there were bullets flying everywhere and not a single armed vehicle came to intervene," one Hutu resident said.

But Mr Bagirimbereka said the authorities had done their job of protecting residents.

"Had the police not intervened, the damage would have been greater," he said.

Stolen medicines

A hospital in Bujumbura was also attacked, according to the French news agency, AFP.

It reported that medication worth $3,500 was stolen, along with computers and a motorcycle but it was not clear whether this was the work of politically-motivated rebels or common criminals.

Correspondents say that fighting has intensified in Burundi since the inauguration of a new power-sharing government on 1 November.

Both ethnic Hutus and Tutsis are represented in the deal, brokered by former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

But two Hutu groups have refused to take part and have carried on with their armed rebellion.