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Gas smell is from France

By David Newble

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A STRONG smell of gas detected by residents across the Isle of Wight today (Tuesday) has been traced to a leak from a factory in Rouen, France.

The leak comes from a plant which puts the smell of gas into odourless natural gas and took place two days ago, according to the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

The cloud, which is completely non-poisonous and non-hazardous, has already travelled across Kent and Sussex and can now be detected in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, according to the fire service.

Residents are being advised to close their windows to shut out the smell.

The chemical plant in Rouen is more than 60 miles north west of Paris. The substance responsible is mercaptan, a harmless additive to natural gas.

Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk

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by William Gough

23rd January 2013, at 23:49:26

Who got windows open this weather :-O

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by Terry Dalley

23rd January 2013, at 06:29:56

The thickos need to be told to shut the windows to keep out the smell ,what a world we live in.

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by jon smith

22nd January 2013, at 21:14:54

Reminds me of a school trip to France in 1982, as the coach left the ferry somebody called out 'what's that terrible smell?'. 'France!' I replied, and spent the rest of the journey sitting next to a smelly teacher.

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by Lee Majors

22nd January 2013, at 18:14:07

Stunk me out in the West Wight, vile smell, like burning gearbox oil

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by Jim Buchanan

22nd January 2013, at 15:00:06

It doesn't bother the snowmen though, everything smells like carrots to them

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by David Blackford

22nd January 2013, at 14:36:32

Can I smell gas? - or is it me?!