A cafeteria fight involving hundreds of students spiraled out of control at Minneapolis’ South High School on Thursday, Feb. 14, drawing a dozen police officers and sending four people to the hospital.

Police said 200 to 300 students wound up brawling in a chaotic scene that broke out around 12:45 p.m. with a food fight. Staff members and two school resource officers tried to break it up before calling for more officers.

Police used chemical spray to disperse the crowd. They say they fired it into the air, not at students. Some students complained of the effects.

The fight lasted about 15 minutes. Three students and a staff member, who was hit in the head with a bottle, were hospitalized. Police said all the injuries were minor and that no weapons were used.

Students were throwing food, plates and soda pop bottles — “anything they could get their hands on” — at school staff and police, Palmer said.

Classes continued but the school went into lockdown, meaning students had to remain in their classrooms. Afternoon activities proceeded as scheduled.

No one was arrested at the scene, but police say they’re reviewing surveillance footage for evidence and possible charges.

School will be in session Friday but South High will remain on lockdown. Students will have to stay in their classrooms during class and access to the building will be limited.

The school said it is implementing a safety plan “to ensure that there is support for a safe learning environment.” Additional counselors and support staff also will be on hand.

South High School, at 3131 19th Ave. S., has 2,000 students in grades 9-12.

This report contains information from the Associated Press. Marino Eccher can be reached at 651-228-5421. Follow him at twitter.com/marinoeccher