Wild brawl locks down floor of Melbourne court complex

A wild brawl between two families has disrupted proceedings in Melbourne magistrates' court, with police descending on the complex. 

A criminal case involving car theft was being heard when the fight broke out in the public gallery. One of the men involved is reported to be a kickboxer who had previously clashed with the defendant in the case.

A total of eight courtrooms were cleared as protective services officers used capsicum spray to attempt to gain control of the situation.

Some of the evacuations were precautionary, taken over concerns that the spray may have spread to the building's air conditioning system.

A man emerged from the court complex bleeding from the head, and another with a torn shirt and watering bloodshot eyes.

Four people have been arrested after the brawl, and several people were treated for the effects of capsicum spray. 

Court representatives told ninemsn that the third floor would re-open shortly after 2pm today, but were unable to provide further comment on the incident. Police are continuing to investigate.