The emission spectra from a flame-breakdown atmospheric pressure plasma generated by a nanosecond pulsed 1064 nm beam of Nd:YAG laser are investigated by using a PI-MAX-II intensified charge coupled device. The emission lines of the main elements, such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen are identified according to the national institute of standards and technology database of atomic emission. It is found that the relative intensities of the atomic emission lines are different from each other under different combustion conditions by making a comparative analysis of the spectra of laser induced breakdown air plasma, alcohol burner flame plasma, and alcohol blast burner flame plasma. The obtained results in this work provide an experimental basis for applying the laser-induced breakdown technology to the combustion diagnostics, and have an important reference and significance for analyzing the characteristics of hydrocarbon fuel combusting in air.