LEWISTON – A brawl on Knox Street early Friday left one man with serious head injuries and three teenagers jailed on assault charges.

Police said a 26-year-old man was beaten with a piece of metal as several people fought in the street at about 2:45 a.m.

The victim was taken to Central Maine Medical Center while police began searching for suspects in the attack.

Minutes after the brawl was broken up, Officer Eugene Kavanagh found three male suspects blocks away from the scene of the fight. He arrested them, charging each with aggravated assault.

Arrested were Hubert Brooks, 19, of 1 Knox St.; Hamdi S. Naji, 18, of 110 Pierce St; and a 17-year-old. That teen initially identified himself with his adult brother’s name, police said.

Police said the three suspects repeatedly beat the victim with a piece of metal, possibly a scrap from an old bed frame. The victim suffered serious injuries and remained at CMMC in good condtion Friday night.

Police did not say what led to the melee, which erupted in front of 22 Knox St. The investigation was continuing Friday night.

Brooks, Naji and the juvenile remained at the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn on Friday, each on $1,000 cash bail. They are expected to make initial court appearances Monday.

The charge of aggravated assault carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.