Strange Odor Forces 30-Minute Mall Evacuation
Two people were treated for throat and eye irritation Saturday after a mysterious odor forced the evacuation of The Esplanade mall for about 30 minutes.
Oxnard Fire Department officials said the likely cause was a rooftop air-conditioning unit that leaked ammonia into the ventilation system or someone spraying Mace inside the mall.
But without witnesses, officials said it will be difficult to say for sure what caused the odor.
Several merchants in the south end of the mall complained of an odor about 5:45 p.m., and the mall was evacuated.
The smell dissipated by 6:15 p.m., and shoppers were allowed back into the mall.
No one was seriously injured, officials said.
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