Airbnb brawl: Gatecrashers unleash violent attack at out-of-control party house
A wild 18th birthday party erupted in violence in Melbourne's south east Saturday night, at a home rented through online home-stay network Airbnb.
A young man was reportedly smashed in the face with a brick at a Malvern East home organisers rented, despite the owner stipulating no parties.
The celebration descended into chaos when hundreds of gatecrashers arrived.
Car loads of unwanted guests turned up in the usually quiet street around 11pm.
Witnesses told 7 News they had no intention of celebrating the 18th birthday party they were crashing, they were more intent on causing violence.
"Some guy got his faced slashed, there were bricks getting thrown around. It was violent," an unidentified witness said.
Another man, Nigel Maxwell, said he heard what sounded "like fighting, guys yelling screaming and swearing".
The house was rented through Airbnb, despite the policy on the owners' profile stipulating no parties or events.
Residents said at the height of Saturday night’s drama there were as many as 300 teenagers in their street.
"I understand everyone's got to have a good time but it didn't look like too many people were having a good time and I don't like that sort of stuff happening in our street," a neighbour said.
Four people were injured, including one young man who was hospitalised, suffering a broken finger. It's believed he was also hit in the face with a brick.
Those who returned on Sunday to help clean up the mess didn't have a lot to say.
The organisers were charging a $10 entry fee per person.
Seven News has been told they made more than $800, but it was stolen by one of the gatecrashers.
Police are reviewing CCTV which they said captured the whole event, and called on anybody who may have witnessed the night's events to call Crimestoppers.
No arrests have yet been made.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
