MAJOR PRISON RIOT IN CALIFORNIA

Guardian, UK - A California prison was in lockdown after a riot and fire left 250 inmates injured, some critically. At least 55 of the prisoners at the California institution for men in the city of Chino were taken to hospital with injuries including stab wounds.

Foam projectiles were fired by 80 prison guards who also used pepper spray and batons in a bid to restore order at the jail, 35 miles east of Los Angeles. Witnesses in the area reported hearing gunshots and explosions.

Prison spokesman Mark Hargrove said the riot involved 1,300 inmates in seven dormitory-style barracks and lasted for about four hours.

At least one unit caught fire and inmates fled into a yard while firefighters fought the blaze.

The trouble started at about 8.20pm local time on Saturday and spread quickly through the medium-security jail. Reports suggested that the riot may have been racially motivated and involved black and Hispanic inmates.

A similar riot broke out at the Chino prison in December 2006.