A couple of fights on Welch Avenue caused police to close down the road around 2 a.m. early Sunday morning, Ames Police Cmdr. Jim Robinson said.

Robinson said the mass of people coming out of the Welch Avenue bars, along with the fights, were the reasons police dispersed the crowd from Welch Avenue. He said they called in additional CyRide buses to help move people away from the area.

There was no rioting as of 2:20 a.m. on Welch Avenue, and the situation seemed to be under control, with all roads leading to Welch Avenue closed by police officers.

Multiple students leaving the area reported police officers using mace or pepper spray. Robinson did not confirm the use of either.

Multiple police cars and officers were in the area to provide aid.

Workers at two gyro stands said they heard mace was used but said they could not confirm it and that they didn’t see any situation getting out of control. They said Welch Avenue was packed with people leaving the bars.