Surf Fans Riot in California

An unruly crowd surged through downtown Huntington Beach in Southern California last night following the US Open of Surfing, brawling, looting a bicycle shop, clashing with police and trashing property before authorities broke up the melee and made arrests, authorities and witnesses say. Police say more than 100 officers from several cities were called in to quell the violence that erupted when a fight broke out after the surfing contest. Seven people were arrested for crimes including disturbing the peace, unlawful assembly, and inciting a riot. One person is in hospital after apparently being hit by a bottle and a rubber projectile police fired to disperse the crowd. (More California stories.)