A float in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena caught fire New Year’s Day.
Firefighters say a float from the Chinese American Heritage Foundation started smoking around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Spectators initially thought it was special effects, but then it started to roll back and people on the float were evacuated.
Firefighters say the float driver and police officers were able to put the small fire out quickly.
According to NBC Los Angeles, no one appeared to be injured in the fire.
The Twitter account for the Rose Parade said the float had “technical difficulties.”
The parade was delayed while crews tried to tow the float away. No other floats were able to pass during that time, but bands were able to go around.
The Pasadena Fire Department says float operators are trained on how to use extinguishers, and there are contingency plans for such situations.
