CORCORAN, Calif (KMPH) -
A bloody riot Tuesday at a South Valley prison left several inmates injured and authorities trying to figure out what happened.
The fighting broke out just after noon Tuesday at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran.
That's about fifty miles south of Fresno.
Authorities say the maximum security yard suddenly exploded in violence when 60 inmates started pulling out weapons and went at it.
Guards responded with tear gas and other less-than-lethal weapons.
Prison officials say the riot was put down within five minutes, but it was long enough to send five inmates to the hospital with stab wounds.
Three were hurt seriously enough that they were taken to the hospital by helicopter where they were treated and later returned to the prison.
None of the prison staff was injured.
