KEY POINTS:
Rotorua police are investigating a fight involving at least 10 people on the same street where toddler Nia Glassie was allegedly abused.
A 17-year-old youth was stabbed in the torso, groin and leg during the fight, which happened early yesterday and involved neighbours from two Frank St houses. During the fracas, the two sides attacked each other with weapons including knives, fence palings and chairs. The fight happened near Nia's house, where she was allegedly abused over several months before lapsing into a coma and dying in hospital.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said the fight was unconnected to Nia and none of the people involved were related to her. He said it began after people at one house were drinking at home.
"This party became raucous and some of the group offensive," he said. "One of the neighbours took exception to the above group and asked them to stop."
A fight then erupted between the two sides and police were called just before 3am.
They found the wounded 17-year-old and a 30-year-old man with a bloodied and bruised face and possible fractured ribs. They were taken to Rotorua Hospital and admitted for treatment. Mr Loper said such fights were not uncommon in Rotorua and police inquiries were continuing to establish exactly how many people were involved and who was responsible for the injuries inflicted.
Neither house concerned was a gang house.
