Aid workers have made it into Muammar Gaddafi's besieged hometown of Sirte amid fears that a humanitarian crisis could unfold amid continued heavy fighting between revolutionary forces and fighters loyal to the ousted dictator.

The arrival of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday came as hundreds of people continued to stream out of Sirte and forces allied to the interim government intensified their shelling of the coastal city.

Fighters from eastern Libya have seized control of Sirte's first residential district and a hotel where pro-Gaddafi snipers were based, according to a rebel commander.

"There is heavy fighting going on in the streets of Sirte right now," said Mustafa al-Rubaie. "The enemy is besieged from the south, east and west, but it's still in possession of highly sophisticated weapons and a large amount of ammunition."

Gaddafi forces were also in control of strategic positions inside the city, including high-rise blocks where snipers are positioned, slowing the advance of the revolutionary forces.

"The plan is that the eastern and western forces will meet in the middle of Sirte," Rubaie said. "When we reach this point, we will celebrate the liberation of Sirte."

Rubai said although the fighters had surrounded Sirte from all sides, a path out had been left for civilians who still wanted to leave the city.

A truckload of supplies and two cars carrying European ICRC workers arrived at a checkpoint manned by fighters loyal to the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC).