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According to witnesses, about 1,000 people packed into Belo nightclub on E Street near 4th Avenue to see headlining rapper 2 Chainz. While it was initially reported that the fight began as the rapper was performing, two clubgoers told 10News that the melee broke out an hour before the rapper arrived.

Eight local acts were at the club to open the show, and the promoter said that in the weeks leading up to the event he had concerns about mixing the crowd. 10News learned two of the local acts were rival gangs and their feud may have started the fight.

Eddie Trax, who was inside the club when the fight broke out, said, "Arguments were going on, but security took control and they broke it up and kicked the people out of the club."

Gaslamp businessman Tom O'Reilly told 10News, "I saw tons of people outside and about 30 police officers."

Other nearby business owners said the crowd in that area can be rough.

As people filed out of the nightclub, several more fights broke out and police responded in full force.

At least three people were hurt and two were taken to local hospitals by ambulance.

According to the San Diego police, one person was arrested for being drunk in public.

Police said they are looking at surveillance video taken inside the club as well as from establishments across the street. Investigators said they wanted to get a better look at how crowded the club was inside and the number of people waiting to get in.