Laguna Journal News

News RELEASE Laguna Beach Police Department 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Laura Farinella Chief of Police March 11, 2016 Odor Investigation with Suspicious Circumstances LAGUNA BEACH, CA – At 6:45 AM Laguna Beach Fire responded to the La Casa Del Camino Hotel at 1289 S. Coast Hwy after an employee called reporting a strong chemical smell along with guests complaining of sore throats and irritated eyes. When the fire department arrived on scene they began voluntary evacuations. During the evacuations they made contact with a male subject who seemed to be having a reaction to the odor and refusing to evacuate from inside his room on the third floor. At 7:19 AM the Laguna Beach Police Department was called to the scene to assist due to the suspicious circumstances. At this time the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad and SWAT team, along with the Orange County Fire Authority’s Hazmat unit is assisting with the investigation, and to identify the source of the odor. No hotel guests were injured nor transported to a local hospital. There is no threat to the surrounding area and the scene is contained at this time. Updates to the situation will be provided as they become available. Subscribe to Laguna Beach’s Nixle alerts and advisories by texting 92651 to 888777. For questions regarding this press release contact Sgt. Tim Kleiser, Public Information Officer, tkleiser@lagunabeachcity.net, 949-497-0389.