Drivers block intersections and set off fireworks at illegal car rallies in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police responded to multiple illegal car rallies across the city overnight, with large groups of people taking over intersections to bake doughnuts and set off fireworks in the streets.

According to police, the gatherings took place throughout the night in South Philadelphia, Center City and the Spring Garden neighborhood. So far, there have been no reports of arrests.

The chaos began just before midnight at Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street. Video footage showed cars driving in the middle of the road as fireworks exploded in the street. Police said there were no injuries and that they were eventually able to disperse the crowd. The fire chief was also called to that location to investigate.

Around 1:30 a.m., about 100 cars took over 25th and Washington Avenues in South Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police Capt. Andrew DiSanto said that at the same time that cars were doing donuts and shooting off fireworks at the location, witnesses told investigators that a man nearby fired a gun twice.

DiSanto said no people or vehicles were hit by the gunfire, but officers did find one live round and one shell casing in the area. An airsoft gun was also found in a nearby garage. “Police were able to disperse the vehicles without further incident,” DiSanto said.

About an hour and a half later, another large crowd took over 23rd and Pennsylvania Avenues, near Eakins Oval and the Philadelphia Art Museum, and again set off fireworks while doing donuts. Several police vehicles were damaged in this area as well.

And then, around 4 a.m., City Hall became the scene of another large gathering, with police this time saying they had to call for backup. Video footage showed people and cars blocking traffic in Center City as one car did donuts around a group of people standing at an intersection.

Several police cars were also vandalized at this location and a doctor went to city hall after a woman ran over her foot.

CBS News Philadelphia has reached out to Philadelphia police for more information on the multiple incidents and updates on possible arrests.

This is a developing story. CBS News Philadelphia will update this story as more information becomes available.