A private party held at the Columbia Athletic Club -- and attended by about 300 people -- turned into brawl early Sunday,leading to four arrests and drawing nearly every officer on duty, Howard County police said.

Police received the first call at 12: 20 a.m. reporting a fight at the athletic club.

When two officers arrived, they found mostly teen-agers and young adults at the club, said Sgt. Morris Carroll, a county police spokesman.

Carroll said several people, "many of whom were intoxicated," were involved in a "very hostile fight."

Officials called for backup, and about 25 county and five state police officers responded, Carroll said. About 30 county officers were on duty that night, he said.

"People were chasing each other, and more police officers were coming," said Barbara Brown, 53, of Monkton, who witnessed part of the incident. "People would start to run and they would be subdued" by police.

Two officers were pushed, one to the ground, Carroll said.

No injuries were reported. Police are investigating what sparked the fight.

Athletic club officials could not determine yesterday who rented the facility, said Rob Goldman, vice president for membership at the Columbia Association.

Goldman said renting the club can cost up to $180 an hour.

Police charged Demonte D. Fowlkes, 21, Cory D. Drain, 20, and a 15-year-old female, all of Columbia, with disorderly conduct.

They also charged Devon R. Ali, 20, of Ellicott City with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Fowlkes and Drain were released on their own recognizance.

Ali's bail was set at $3,000.

Pub Date: 4/20/99