CARNEYS POINT TWP. -- A police officer was injured and five students were arrested after a massive fight broke out at a South Jersey school Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Police responded to Penns Grove High School at 2:30 p.m. and came across what authorities are calling an "emotionally charged scene," involving about 100 students.

It took a county-wide response from police departments, as well as assistance from New Jersey State Police and Delaware Bridge authorities, to break up the fight.

Carneys Point Police were doing a daily check of the perimeter of the school grounds while class let out for the day and heard a commotion coming from the building.

Authorities entered the west exit of the school near the gymnasium and were immediately confronted with a fight between students in the hallway, according to Det. Sgt. Dale VanNamee.

Police attempted to break up the fight, however due to a large mob of students, were unsuccessful and had to call for back-up.

Officers at the scene repeatedly advised the crowd to disperse but the students resisted, and continued to act disorderly by yelling and screaming at police, according to VanNamee.

The vice principal of the high school was also seen struggling with one student who then became surrounded by a group of hostile students.

Five students were charged with failure to disperse, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and obstruction.

Penns Grove, Pennsville and Woodstown police departments, as well as the Salem County Prosecutor's Office and Sheriff's Department responded to the school and helped to break up the fight.

However, when officers arrived, they were confronted with a large "mob" outside of the school building, none willing to leave, authorities said.

After students refused to vacate the school property, police were finally able to escort the crowd off the premises until another fight broke out on a street adjacent to the school.

Two students were taken to The Memorial Hospital of Salem County for minor injuries, as well as an officer who sustained a shoulder injury, police said.

Another individual suffered from a facial laceration after he forced his own face through a reinforced glass window of a school door, according to police.

Further charges are pending on the outcome of the investigation and surveillance of school video.

Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.