California’s Fourth of July plunges into hell as stores looted, police horses charge and fires break out

Fourth of July descended into mayhem across 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.

Scenes from the Wild West in Newport Beach this evening, which led to the city shutting all its businesses down around Newport pier up to PCH. Not one bar is open tonight in this part of Newport.

@herbertgcalderonu pic.twitter.com/oLmzMPfJyy

— Surflick (@Surflick) July 5, 2026

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.

July 4th: Americans celebrate the 250th birthday of this great nation

July 5th: California business owners call their insurance companies to cover all the riot and looting damages pic.twitter.com/7odI2xrD1N

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) July 5, 2026

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.

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