Strong odor smell around San Diego
SAN DIEGO -- Authorities are investigating reports from around San Diego County of a strong, chemical-like odor.
People began making emergency calls about 2 p.m. to report a pervasive and pungent smell variously described as akin to kerosene, diesel fuel, bus exhaust, lighter fluid and other petroleum-based substances, according to Maurice Luque, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
On Wednesday afternoon, 10News received dozens of calls from residents who said they smelled what they believed was jet fuel in the air.
Residents from areas such as Encinitas, Solana Beach, Pacific Beach, Mira Mesa and La Jolla all reported the odor. Residents living in inland areas such as North Park, Hillcrest and Rancho Bernardo told 10News they smelled the odor in their area.
There were no reports that the vapors led to any physical ailments, Luque said.
A public affairs spokesman at MCAS Miramar said the odor can be smelled at the base, but noted that the base's air operations have had not reported any fuel spills or aircraft that had to dump jet fuel in the county area.
An FAA spokesman told 10News they were not aware of any fuel dumping being carried out on Wednesday.
Mario Aguilera of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said he did not know of any algae blooms or anything organic that could be causing the smell.
San Diego Gas & Electric officials said they have received numerous calls regarding the odor. The utility sent technicians into the community to try and determine the source of the smell.
Engine crews investigated the widespread affected areas, including Del Mar Heights, Scripps Ranch, La Jolla, Hillcrest and downtown San Diego, finding no apparent source.
"They can't isolate what it is," Luque said in the early evening.
The unexplained phenomenon was similar to an episode that occurred about a year ago, when people in various San Diego beach areas began complaining of a lingering stink comparable to rotten eggs.
Authorities eventually determined that decaying vegetation in and around estuaries and ocean inlets was to blame for the foul smell, Luque said.
There are people who say that in the days prior to the big San Francisco Quake in 1906 there also was a strong smell in the air.
I read this tho...
Before an earthquake, ponds and canals may give off a strange smell. This is caused by the release of gases underground. The temperature of ground water can also become warmer.h
From60 Fascinating Facts about earthquakes
Does anybody know if this is already solved around SanDiego?
Coincidence? Is something going on there? People need to worry? Does this happen often prior to earthquakes?