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Pool table thrown as 'hell breaks loose' at show
SPECTATORS had to run for cover after a barrage of missiles including a full-size pool table rained down on them during a riot at a martial arts event in South Yorkshire.
Hundreds of people packed into the Virtual Ice Inline Skating Arena on Chesterton Road, Eastwood Trading Estate, Rotherham, after being promised "an explosive night of entertainment" at the Retribution Fight Night.
But they got more than they bargained after one of the mixed martial arts and kick boxing bouts was cancelled.
Eyewitnesses say "all hell broke loose" when an announcement was made
the fight was cancelled because a competitor had suffered a cut eyebrow shortly after 11.15pm.
One spectator, who did not want to be named, said a gang of thugs thought to be following a fighter from Lancashire reacted with fury.
He said: "They had been drinking heavily and started throwing bottles and, among other things, a pool table from the balcony at an innocent crowd including children and pregnant women.
"The venue got trashed beyond belief."
Another witness said: "They were throwing bottles at a machine gun-like rate plus tables, chairs and every other item that was on the balcony.
"Having chucked every other item they possible could off they then collectively managed to pick up and throw a pool table.
"It ended smashed at the very bottom of the stairs."
One fan added: "The security were straight in but were overpowered by a large gang of idiots.
"They threw a pool table over the balcony which stopped the rest of the security getting up the stairs and it was a large table, landing on the stairs blocking the whole area.
"The security then diverted their energy in keeping the real fans safe and got them out of the building."
Police arrived shortly after the trouble broke out on Saturday.
A police spokesman said: "It is alleged members of the audience were unhappy a match was cancelled when one of the fighters was injured.
"Four men from the Manchester area were arrested on the night and have been bailed pending further enquiries.
"The investigation is ongoing with officers now viewing the venue's CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses."
Rebecca Guest, who works at Virtual Ice, said: "There was quite a mess including damage to the pool table but this was quickly cleared up and the venue was open as usual the following day."
Phoenix Fights, which put on the event, says on its website it aims "to provide an arena for the amateur and semi-pro mixed martial artists and kickboxers to showcase their ability and hone their skills".
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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