BAKER, Calif. - A race-related fight broke out at a minimum-security community prison, sending four inmates to the hospital with minor injuries, state prison officials said.

The fight at the Baker Community Correctional Facility in San Bernardino County occurred at 7 p.m. Wednesday and lasted a few minutes, said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections.

Twelve black and white inmates started brawling in the yard of the all-male prison and guards rushed to break up the melee. About 80 inmates were in the yard at the time.

Four inmates were taken to the hospital with minor bumps and bruises. The cause of the fight was under investigation.

"They started to fight. They were told to stop and they did," Thornton said Thursday.

The 12 inmates were later transferred to state prisons, she said.

Baker, with 250 inmates, is operated by Cornell Companies Inc., which provide services to state governments on a contract basis. The facility is 155 miles east of Los Angeles.