Hundreds of protesters in Indonesia‘s restive Papua province on Monday set fire to several homes and other buildings.

Papua Police Chief, Rudolf Alberth Rodja says Monday’s demonstration was sparked by rumors that a high school teacher in Papua’s Wamena city reportedly called students ‘monkeys’.

Rodja said the angry mob set fire to local government buildings, shops, homes and motorbikes. Television footage showed black smoke billowing from the burning buildings. He however said a police investigation did not find any racist comments made about the students.

Monday’s unrest came after Indonesian authorities managed to get the province under control after weeks of violent protests against racism in the region.