Three officers injured, 14 people arrested in wild Lowell bar fight

By Alli Knothe, Globe Correspondent

Three police officers were injured and 14 people were arrested after a wild bar fight in Lowell early today, police said.

The fight started at about 1:30 a.m. at Fortunato’s on Palmer Street, while almost 200 people were inside for a private 21st birthday party. Officers from four towns and State Police were needed to break it up, Lowell police said in a statement.

When police arrived, they said, people were fighting, throwing tables, chairs, and beer bottles. Some left the building when they saw police.

The fighting customers allegedly began throwing beer bottles when officers tried to break up the fight and began arresting people. At that point, some of those who had previously evacuated tried to re-enter the building to join the fight. They were apprehended, too, police said.

Those arrested ranged from ages 18 to 33. Some were from Lowell, but others were from Cambridge, Boston, Dracut, Lawrence, and Andover. Charges included making an affray, assault, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct, police said.

Fortunato’s is also known as Club 44, police said.