Dodgers’ Win Sets LA on Fire – A Nike Store, a Bus, and One Insane Night!

The streets of Los Angeles erupted into chaos Wednesday night as fans celebrated the Dodgers’ thrilling World Series victory over the Yankees. Instead of jubilation, the city saw scenes of turmoil with rampant looting, clashes with police, and a city bus set ablaze. Police reported that by the night’s end, at least a dozen people were in custody, with charges ranging from commercial burglary to receiving stolen goods and defying police orders to disperse.

Footage from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) showed groups of looters targeting a Nike store just four miles from Dodger Stadium. Masked individuals raced in and out of the boarded-up store, hauling boxes of merchandise and stashing them in parked cars under the cover of night. The LAPD noted the spike in looting incidents, stating, “several businesses” suffered from the night’s “violent celebrations.”

Elsewhere, a man covered in blue paint was seen scribbling messages on the sidewalk before a wave of police in riot gear advanced. The individual managed to flee the scene, but another man wasn’t as lucky—video showed him dragged by his backpack down a city block as officers struggled to control the crowd, according to footage posted by journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel.

Amid the bedlam, the LAPD confirmed that “multiple properties” had been vandalized and emphasized they were “aware of the looting” as they processed arrests. However, officials remained tight-lipped on the total number of detainees taken into custody.

The drama intensified downtown as hundreds swarmed around an MTA bus, which was soon set ablaze near Dodger Stadium around 12:35 a.m. local time. Videos posted online showed a frenzied crowd—many in Dodgers gear—climbing onto the bus, holding up team flags, and even setting off fireworks inside. The video shared by @FilmThePoliceLA captured the bus engulfed in thick, black smoke, with flames reaching skyward. “Let’s go, Dodgers!” echoed through the crowd, accompanied by the sounds of helicopters and police sirens overhead.

Emergency responders reached the site around 12:45 a.m., establishing a perimeter around the burning bus to protect nearby buildings from the flames. Moments later, a loud explosion rocked the vehicle, sending a plume of fire into the night. Firefighters moved in, dousing the wreckage until only the bus frame remained.

Despite the escalating violence, the Los Angeles Fire Department kept operations routine, directing the public to the LAPD for updates on the “unlawful gatherings.” Police officers attempting to break up the crowds reported that rioters pelted them with rocks, bottles, and fireworks. The LAPD swiftly mobilized additional resources, urging people near the area to disperse for their own safety, cautioning, “If you are in the area, please use caution.”

The city’s Mayor, Karen Bass, condemned the violence, reminding citizens that “violence will not be tolerated” during celebrations. According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, Bass assured residents that the LAPD was on “tactical alert” and had enacted a “strategic plan” to protect communities and businesses, with “proactive deployment” and close coordination with regional partners. “All Angelenos deserve to celebrate safely,” she said.

The Dodgers clinched their victory in New York, edging out the Yankees 7-6 in Game 5. Fans will have the chance to revel in the win at a ticketed event and parade in downtown Los Angeles Friday morning. However, for many, Wednesday night’s celebration has already left an indelible mark on the city—a night meant for cheering transformed into a reminder of the city’s darker side when celebrations spiral out of control.