Fourth of July celebrations spiraled into chaos in parts of Southern California, where crowded fireworks gatherings gave way to reports of looting, fires, street fights and a heavy police response that included officers on horseback.
Newport Beach saw some of the most serious disorder, as large Independence Day crowds flooded the Orange County city, snarling traffic and drawing police toward the area around the pier.
As tensions escalated, officials closed businesses stretching from the Newport Pier toward Pacific Coast Highway while officers worked to regain control of the scene.
Police were reportedly surrounded by hundreds of people, some of whom threw bottles and other objects at officers before the crowd itself broke into fights.
Mounted officers then pushed into the area on horseback in an effort to disperse the crowd and allow additional arrests to be made.
Footage from Newport Beach also appeared to show the aftermath of the reported looting of a Pavilions grocery store, with goods scattered across the parking lot as groups remained outside the business, some laughing and joking near the scene.
It also appeared that many of those involved in the unrest were not residents of the Newport Beach area.
The holiday turned dangerous elsewhere across Southern California as firefighters battled multiple blazes and a fireworks display ended in injuries.
Multiple people were hurt in Chino after fireworks exploded too close to the ground while a large group had gathered in the street for a Fourth of July display.
Around Los Angeles, firefighters responded to multiple fires Saturday night.
More than 60 firefighters battled a commercial building fire on the 14300 block of Figueroa Street in the Harbor Gateway neighborhood after crews were dispatched at 9:49 p.m., according to the LAFD.
Another fire broke out shortly after 9 p.m. on the 15200 block of Tuba Street in Mission Hills, where multiple Cypress trees ignited in a residential neighborhood.
The flames threatened nearby homes and spread to two vehicles before firefighters stopped the blaze from reaching any houses. No injuries were reported.
The causes of both fires remain under investigation, and officials have not ruled out fireworks as a possible cause.
