Multiple gunshots were fired from a vehicle near the Delaware home of US Vice President Joe Biden last night, the Secret Service said.

The vice president and his wife were not at home at the time.

The Secret Service said the shots were fired at around 8:25pm on a public road outside the secure perimeter near the home in Greenville, Delaware.

The shots were heard by Secret Service personnel.

They said the vehicle drive past the home at a high rate of speed and flee the scene.

The incident is under investigation.

Mr Biden's office says the vice president and his wife, Jill Biden, were later briefed on the incident.