Avenal Riot

Avenal State Prison remains on lockdown this morning after an early evening riot sent five inmates to the hospital, authorities said. Prison spokesman and Correctional Lt. Ed Borla said the brawl broke out in a single housing unit at 7 p.m. Tuesday and involved roughly 100 inmates. One inmate was taken by helicopter for emergency treatment, while another four went by ambulance to area hospitals. All five have since been treated and returned to the facility, Borla said. No staff members were harmed during the attack. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the attack. The facility will remain on lockdown as the inquiry continues.