This is the shocking moment a ‘street takeover’ attended by hundreds erupted into a blazing fire in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday morning.
According to preliminary reports from OnSceneTV, the takeover took place before 3 a.m. at the intersection of 18th Street and Main Street.
Two vehicles caught fire in the middle of the intersection, KTLA News reported.
It is still unclear whether the fire was started deliberately or whether the vehicles caught fire accidentally, the news outlet reports.
When police arrived, they confirmed there were at least 50 cars present.
An LAPD spokesperson told KTLA that officers were initially dispatched to the scene because fireworks were being set off.
Two cars caught fire at the downtown LA intersection at the corner of West 18th and South Main Street in downtown Los Angeles
Hundreds flock to the area where a street takeover ended in an inferno early Saturday
Resident reported that nNumerous vehicles exploded partly as a result of the nitrous tanks.
In the chaotic scene, at least 400 to 500 people blocked access to the street, with reports that racing vehicles may have been involved in the takeover, according to the Citizen mobile app.
The report said police had called in additional units to help divert traffic at the scene and ensure public safety, while emergency services worked to extinguish the fires and control crowds.
Police have requested two tow trucks to remove the burned and destroyed vehicles, Citizen said.
The incident was investigated. It was not known Saturday afternoon whether anyone was injured or injured.
During the terrifying scene, traffic was reported moving near the burning vehicles – with some motorists honking their horns while others drove past as if nothing had happened.
The takeover – attended by hundreds of people – took place before 3 a.m. at the intersection of 18th and Main Streets, according to preliminary reports from OnSceneTV
During the chaotic scene early Saturday, people are seen outside their cars
According to reports, police have made no arrests, but the two vandalized vehicles have been seized.
In March, a street takeover occurred in the same downtown LA area around 11:30 p.m.
LAPD Central Division patrol units were deployed to the area after receiving multiple reports of the incident.
After officers responded to the scene, the takeover was halted within minutes without incident.