Newport Beach Chaos: What Sparked the Fourth of July Mayhem?

Fourth of July descended into mayhem across parts of Southern California as unruly crowds overwhelmed packed-out fireworks displays, looted stores, ignited fires and saw cops charge on horseback.

The worst unrest erupted in Newport Beach, where Independence Day revelers poured into Orange County, choking traffic and triggering a police response as disorder spread near the pier.

Authorities ultimately shut down businesses from the Newport Pier to Pacific Coast Highway as officers moved in to restore order.

Officers were swarmed by hundreds of people who hurled bottles and other debris at them before the crowd turned on one another and began fighting.

Mounted officers rode horses into them to clear the area so additional arrests could be made.

Video from the scene also appeared to show the aftermath of the reported looting of a Pavilions grocery store in Newport Beach, with merchandise strewn across the parking lot while groups of people lingered outside the business, laughing and joking.

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 illegal fireworks.

Around Los Angeles, firefighters responded to multiple fires Saturday night into Sunday.

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.

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Despite the chaos, Fourth of July offered some incredible scenes across the state, with Los Angeles and surrounding cities lit up all night by fireworks.

The massive display that Huntington Beach has become famous for saw hundreds of thousands descend on the Surf City enclave.

American flags waved from parade floats, classic cars and horseback riders as spectators lined the streets in red, white and blue.

Families cheered from folding chairs, children proudly carried flags, and beachgoers soaked up the sunshine in patriotic gear, with some even wearing MAGA hats, during the massive, multi-day Fourth of July celebration marking America’s 250th birthday.

At the heart of the festivities was the 122nd Annual Fourth of July Parade, a 2.5-mile procession along Pacific Coast Highway that is widely recognized as the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi River.

The holiday weekend culminated with a fireworks spectacular launched off the Huntington Beach Pier, lighting up the Pacific Ocean in the grand finale.

Despite the enormous crowds and the millions of dollars in indirect economic benefits generated for local businesses, the City of Huntington Beach still loses money covering the operational costs of staging the annual celebration.

“It’s amazing. Huntington Beach, Fourth of July, there’s nothing like it,” Katie Jarrett told The California Post. “I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl and this is just my most favorite day of the whole year.”

For Carolyn Jesse, the event was a chance to celebrate both country and community.

“I feel blessed and privileged to live in America, and to be at the largest celebration west of the Mississippi,” Carolyn Jesse told The Post. “God bless America.”