In downtown Fresno, chaos erupted as a tree ignited during a World Cup viewing party, with flames spreading to a nearby school. This intense scene was captured live on television, following reports that illegal fireworks had been set off.
Fans at the Rainbow Ballroom were excitedly cheering for the FIFA match between Mexico and England, reveling in the atmosphere as they celebrated up until the final moments of the game.
Live news coverage took a dramatic turn when, during a broadcast, flames suddenly erupted in the background.
Footage captured a large tree ablaze across the street from the Rainbow Ballroom, with flames shooting upward and moving towards nearby structures as emergency responders arrived quickly.
Firefighters were seen spraying water on the burning tree at the corner of Broadway, while emergency vehicles swarmed the area.
A man outside the Rainbow Ballroom was treated for what appeared to be minor injuries as teams worked to put out the fire that had spread to adjacent buildings.
According to Fresno Police Lt. Castillo, officers had been stationed throughout downtown during the festivities after receiving reports of disturbances near Kepler School.
Upon investigation, officers spotted two vehicles parked near the school. Just moments after the illegal fireworks exploded, the tree caught fire, according to Castillo.
The fire not only engulfed the tree but also spread to Kepler School, causing some damage to the roof.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among students or staff, and authorities noted that the structural damage to the school was minimal.
This incident was part of a series of issues stemming from illegal fireworks over the holiday weekend, with investigations still being carried out.
