Local News in Brief : Mission Viejo : Cause of Bad Smell Still Being Sniffed Out

County health and fire officials remained perplexed Tuesday about the cause of a foul smell that spewed from a fireplace into the surrounding neighborhood, prompting nearly 100 calls to the county Fire and Sheriff’s departments Sunday night.

The smell came from George and Diane Babrich’s home in the 26000 block of Sotello. Fire officials said the orangewood logs they were burning in their fireplace gave off smoke that was suspected of containing a toxic ingredient because nearby residents complained of nausea, shortness of breath and a burning sensation.

Irritated neighbors called authorities, but the Babriches were the first to summon firefighters, department spokeswoman Patti Range said. Firefighters put out the fire and summoned county health inspectors, she said.

No injuries from the smoke were reported to authorities. However, Range said some residents sought treatment on their own at local hospitals for a burning sensation. “But it was strictly an eyewash sort of thing.”