Residents in Melbourne's south-west have been stopped from entering or leaving their homes as forensics investigators try to piece together the events which saw two men taken to hospital, two on the run and a trail of blood splashed down a normally quiet suburban street.
Police investigate a trail of blood in Misten Avenue.
Police were called to Misten Avenue in Altona North at about 9.30pm on Saturday night following reports of an altercation between two groups of men.
Detective Senior Constable Gareth Mullins said two men in their 20s were taken to hospital with non-life threatening stab wounds while another two fled the scene.
"We're searching for a number of males at the moment who were believed to be involved," he said.
"Two of those males are described as having dark skin and they've left the scene in a small white sedan, possibly a Toyota."
The detective senior constable said police believe the fight broke out in front of a strip of shops which included a milk bar, Thai restaurant and several hairdressing salons.
But a trail of blood stretching about 150 metres saw forensic investigators poring over a large stretch of the avenue, with more than 10 family homes blocked off in both directions.
As the officers tried to piece together what happened, residents who weren't home were prevented from entering - and those who were told to stay indoors.
One woman said she was out with her family on Saturday night when the incident occurred. When she returned they were told to park around the corner and escorted home by officers.
On Sunday morning she went to church. When she returned in the afternoon she was told to wait a few hours before entering the crime scene.
"I guess I'll go shopping, or to visit mum," Desi, who asked only to be referred by her first name, said.
She said the incident was "freaky" but despite being "pretty frightened" said she still loved her street and community.
"It could happen anywhere," she said.
"I guess that's the society we live in.
"But I've lived her 26-years now and this is a beautiful neighbourhood, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Greek, we all get along, we're very mixed.
"It's beautiful ... I didn't lose any sleep last night."
Detective Senior Constable Mullins said it was yet to be determined if the two groups knew each other, if anything was taken from the victims or any other circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
He said it was believed only one knife was used, but that it had not been found.
Morning & Afternoon Newsletter
Delivered Mon–Fri.