A spectacular but illegal fireworks display lit up Los Angeles’ 6th Street Bridge over the weekend, adding another chapter to the iconic structure’s troubled history since its 2022 reopening.
Cell phone video posted to Instagram by user @capture.la_ shows what they described as a “safely coordinated” fireworks show, though the footage reveals potentially dangerous conditions with firework launchers shooting projectiles into the night sky from the middle of the roadway. The video, recorded by someone riding along the bridge on an e-bike, captures multiple boxes of what appear to be commercial-grade pyrotechnics lined along the road, some propped up in traffic cones.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and was filmed extinguishing small fires after the unpermitted display concluded. It remains unclear if anyone was arrested or cited for the incident.
This unauthorized fireworks show is just the latest problem for the bridge connecting downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. Since its reopening as the “Ribbon of Light” in 2022, the structure has been plagued by copper wire theft, which has left much of the bridge in darkness despite its intended illuminated design.
The bridge’s troubles have even become a political issue, with mayoral candidate Asaad Alnajjar criticizing the current administration’s response to the ongoing problems.
“The bridge isn’t a sanctioned venue, and calling it ‘safely coordinated’ doesn’t make it safe or legal,” Alnajjar said. “This kind of stunt puts bystanders and first responders at risk — period. We can’t allow this chaos in Los Angeles.”
The Los Angeles Police Department has created a task force dedicated to addressing copper theft, but efforts to keep the bridge properly lit have mostly failed. The structure has also been a target for graffiti artists and has become a popular spot for street takeovers and other unauthorized activities.
The original 6th Street Bridge, featured in films like “Terminator 2” and “To Live and Die in L.A.,” was demolished in 2016 due to structural issues before being rebuilt and reopened in 2022.
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