Footage has emerged showing a U-Haul going up in flames during an out-of-control illegal sideshow in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood over the weekend.
Chaos began at around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday as a large crowd descended on the normally quiet street, transforming it into a chaotic scene filled with noise and activity.
In the video captured, smoke can be seen all around, and moments before the U-Haul ignited, a burnt car was visible nearby.
Social media clips depict people taking pictures on the hood of a truck while flames roared in the background. Neighbors reported that approximately 1,000 individuals filled the area before officers managed to restore order.
One local resident, Dennis Gallagher, expressed frustration, saying, “We called the police, and it took them 30 minutes to arrive, and then they incendiary bombed the truck.” He added, “I can’t recall anything like this happening before.”
After police arrived, they observed several vehicles driving dangerously and setting off fireworks. It’s believed that multiple individuals were responsible for setting the U-Haul on fire before escaping.
Firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze, and the police’s arson unit is now investigating.
A police spokesperson commented on the dangers posed by sideshows, stating they could lead to severe injuries or fatalities, threaten innocent bystanders, disrupt neighborhoods, and block emergency access. “These events have no place on our streets,” the spokesperson added.
Neighbors, however, criticized the delayed police response, questioning why it took so long to address the escalating situation. Gallagher remarked that if response times are this lengthy, there’s a significant issue at hand.
This incident coincided with other disturbances in the Bay Area, where parts of the Bay Bridge were closed as crowds set off fireworks and cars looped around the area. Recently, the city has increased fines for such unruly behavior from $500 to $1,000 in an attempt to manage the issues.
The police stated they are collaborating with community members and city officials to tackle and prevent sideshows, using targeted patrols and technology to track offenders and hold those involved accountable.
