4 injured in jail melee

Four inmates were injured Wednesday afternoon when a disturbance erupted in the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.

The fight between about 80 Latino and black inmates broke out about 12:30 p.m. in the dorm quarters of the jail in the 400 block of Bauchet Street, authorities said. The jail was locked down.

The disturbance lasted about 10 minutes before deputies were able to gain control, said Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department.

One inmate was stabbed, and three others suffered superficial wounds, she said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department sent several ambulances to treat the injured inmates. All four inmates were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the department said.