THOUSAND OAKS : Smoke in Theater Forces Evacuation
Smoke from a malfunctioning air conditioner or heating unit filled the lobby of a Thousand Oaks movie theater Sunday morning, forcing the evacuation of about half a dozen employees 15 minutes before it was supposed to open, authorities said.
“No one was hurt. We believe it was the air conditioner or the heating unit,” said Dan Preston, a Ventura County Fire Department spokesman. “The motor froze up, and it propelled smoke into the building.”
Employees at the United Artists Theatre in The Oaks mall on Hillcrest Drive called the Fire Department about 10:45 a.m., Preston said. They had evacuated the movie theater on their own, he said.
Employees were allowed back in shortly afterward and all movies were shown on time, said Paula Robertson, theater manager.
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