A witness on the scene said several customers were sprayed with bear spray and a knife was pulled during two altercations

THUNDER BAY - It was a scary night at a south side bar as dozens of patrons were exposed to bear spray and a staff member was threatened with a knife.

On Saturday night at approximately 1:45 a.m., an altercation took place between two men on the dance floor at Newfie’s Pub.

According to a witness on the scene, one of the men then pulled out a can of bear spray and sprayed the other man, as well as several other customers. The man then exited the bar and ran on foot.

Bar patrons were seen coughing as they exited the bar and Thunder Bay Police and Superior North EMS were called. Paramedics treated several people on scene and there is no word yet if anyone was transported to hospital.

Following the incident on the dance floor, three men refused to evacuate and a second altercation took place outside the bar when they finally exited the building.

A witness said a knife was pulled on security staff but discarded after patrolling police officers arrived on the scene. Police took the individual who pulled the knife into custody.

The man responsible for spraying the bar with bear spray was not arrested last night, the witness said.

Thunder Bay Police Service has not released any details about the incident at this time.