RICHMOND, VA - A water fight among inmates in a misdemeanor ward at the Richmond City Jail escalated into a confrontation that required deputies to deploy gas to restore order last night.

"Everything is under control," Sheriff C.T. Woody said.

Woody placed the cell block on lockdown after the incident, and he suspended privileges for the 70 to 100 inmates it houses "until I find out exactly what happened."

Jail authorities said the matter began shortly before 8 p.m. in the G-2 block, which houses those facing less-serious charges and who are considered a low risk.

"It's getting hot, so you'll see things flare up -- a bunch of young boys playing," Lt. Col. William Burnette said.

He said disturbances tend to increase this time of year at the jail, which houses about 1,500 inmates daily -- nearly 600 more than capacity.

Burnette said the incident initially involved 10 inmates, but Woody said the matter escalated to include 20 to 30 and the partial flooding of the cell block in the aging, un-air-conditioned facility on Fairfield Way.

No injuries were reported, but Woody said a tear-gas like substance was used to quell the fight.

"Some young guys decided to play games," said Woody, who added that inmates were throwing water at each other and then it got out of hand."

Woody described it as a feud on the cell block. Shortly before 9 p.m., Woody said, jail employees had finished decontaminating the area after using the spray.