Natural gas odor reported in more NE Ohio cities
MANSFIELD, Ohio (WJW) — An odor of natural gas throughout the area on Wednesday led to firefighter responses and the closure and early dismissals of several local schools.
No gas leaks were found, city and school officials said.
“Our crews are aware of a gas odor in the Lexington, Mansfield and Ashland areas,” reads a Wednesday statement from Columbia Gas of Ohio spokesperson. “The situation is safe and the source of the odor is known.”
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The Columbia Gas spokesperson revealed the source of the odor was an “overabundance” of a harmless additive that gives natural gas its distinct smell, which was being added “by an upstream supplier.”
Natural gas is odorless and colorless. What consumers smell briefly after turning on their stove-top burner is an additive called mercaptan that gives it a putrid smell like rotten eggs or sulfur, making it easily detectable in case of a leak, according to Columbia Gas of Ohio.
But “the presence of the smell does not necessarily mean there are dangerous levels of gas,” reads a news release from Mayor Jodie Perry.
Mansfield firefighters on Wednesday responded to several calls about the odor at homes and businesses. Their devices did not detect natural gas — “however, the distinct odor of gas is present,” reads the release.
Columbia Gas told FOX 8 that, in addition to odor complaints in the Mansfield and Ashland areas, there are calls coming in from customers in the Wellington area of Lorain County and Brewster in Stark County.
The smell was also reported in some Cuyahoga County communities, including Strongsville, Berea and Parma, a spokesperson confirmed.
“We have been experiencing an issue like the one seen in Mansfield with too much odorant being added to natural gas,” said the Parma Fire Department in a Facebook post late Wednesday evening. “It may smell like you are experiencing a gas leak when using appliances. If you experience an issue do not hesitate to call the fire department. Columbia Gas is unsure how long the issue will take to resolve. Stay safe and thanks for your support.”
Parma firefighters say they received more than 30 service calls regarding the odor Wednesday evening. They urge residents to remain calm and to open windows while using gas appliances to better ventilate their homes.
Brunswick Hills firefighters also took to Facebook, saying, “Please be advised that we are receiving numerous calls for an odor of gas inside residences. We are responding to the calls in the order in which they are received. Of you smell and odor of gas, do not hesitate to call 911.”
Several local schools closed or dismissed students on Wednesday.
“It is an odor issue, not a gas leak issue,” reads a Wednesday morning news release from Lexington Local Schools Superintendent Jeremy Secrist.
Columbia Gas of Ohio workers cleared Lexington High School on Wednesday, but Eastern and Central elementary schools were not expected to be cleared “for quite some time,” reads the release.
Because the odor may return, the high school was set to let out at 9:45 a.m., according to the release. Those buses later returned to take elementary students home, according to the district’s website. Bus drivers were expected to call parents “to ensure a safe drop off at home can be made.”
The district’s YMCA elementary afterschool program was also canceled for the day.
Mansfield City Schools‘ Spanish Immersion and Woodland Elementary schools were also closed on Wednesday, according to the district’s website.
Mansfield firefighters cleared the private elementary Discovery School along Millsboro Road just before 10 a.m., “and there was no gas leak found,” reads a Facebook post. But a “strong” smell remained in the building on Wednesday. Parents were asked to collect their students from the playground “as soon as possible.”
It’s unclear at this time how many people are affected.
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Although the source of the odor has been found, the gas provider urges residents to report the smell of natural gas by calling 1-800-344-4077.
If you smell natural gas in your home, you should stop what you’re doing, go outside and call 911 or your gas provider.
“Don’t smoke or light a match. Don’t open the windows. Don’t use anything that could cause a spark, like a phone, light switch, appliance or flashlight. Don’t start your car or use your garage door to leave,” reads the Columbia Gas website.
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