Sparks flew at Tuesday night?s fireworks when scattered fights erupted among patrons attempting to leave the Inner Harbor Independence Day celebration.
At least one victim was hospitalized and approximately 15 people were arrested after several skirmishes broke out at 10 p.m. as police officers attempted to disperse the lingering crowd after the fireworks ended, police said.
“Some people apparently just did not want to leave,” said Officer Troy Harris, police spokesman.
Those arrested were charged with disorderly conduct, common assault or both, police said.
Several different altercations on Pratt Street around the Inner Harbor sparked confusion and knocked several people to the ground. Police responded and restored order in about 30 minutes. No officers were injured, police said. The event was attended by nearly 200,000 people and monitored by several hundred police officers, authorities said.
“The event was a success,” said Tracy Baskerville, spokeswoman for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. “The only problem occurred afterward when people were crowded and trying to leave.”
