Smoky smell draws Oceanside firefighters

Diners at Nathan’s on Long Beach Road in Oceanside and shoppers in the myriad of stores in the Oceanside Mall were surprised at about 1 p.m. on April 30 when several fire engines and ambulances from the Oceanside Volunteer Fire Department roared into the mall’s parking lot with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

Fire officials say that several stores in the mall reported that the smell from their air conditioning systems seemed “smoky,” so firefighters responded and a ladder was raised to the roof to check the offending units.

Officials say that nothing untoward was found and the fire apparatus returned to quarters after about a half-hour.