As some 75 women and men brawled on a North Philadelphia street Tuesday evening, a Philadelphia Housing Authority police officer was doused with pepper spray while trying to break up the fight, police said.
The fight and officer assault happened at 25th and Diamond streets in North Philadelphia around 6:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said officers were responding to a call of a stabbing at the intersection and when they arrived, found dozens of people fighting.
"There was at least 75 people on the street acting disorderly, there were many fights and most of the individuals in the crowd were females," Small said.
One person sprayed Mace in the officer's face, temporarily blinding him, Small said. He was taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment and later released. He's expected to be OK.
A woman was taken into custody for disorderly conduct, but it was not related to the pepper spraying, Small said.
It's not clear what sparked the large fight, but Small said investigators were reviewing surveillance video from a nearby business.
