A sudden “horrible smell” which is making residents at two south coast seaside towns “feel sick” and “faint” and close their windows has resulted in firefighters urging anyone who visits or lives in the areas to call 999 if they become unwell. Locals in Bognor and Littlehampton, in West Sussex, took to social media earlier this week to report a “strong smell of gas” and “egg”.
Residents in nearby Chichester have also made similar reports. In 2013, the same area experienced a stink, dubbed Le Pong, which was found to be coming from a chemical plant in Rouen, France.
Now, residents fear the French could be sending smells their way again with some posting they “feel sick.” West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service say they believe that the smell is coming from the sea, but that if people begin to feel unwell they should call 999.
A spokesperson posted: “We have had a number of calls from people along the south coast concerned they can smell gas. It is believed that this might be coming from offshore, rather than a local domestic gas leak.
“We would always encourage anyone who thinks they smell gas to contact their utilities provider. If you begin to feel unwell, always dial 999 for emergency medical care.”
The coastguard has confirmed that they were called to reports of a gas smell, but that they found no cause for concern. A spokesperson said: “A report of the smell of gas and diesel at Selsey Bill was made to HM Coastguard at about 5.20pm on Tuesday, July 15.
“West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was informed. Investigations found no evidence of anything untoward.”
‘It stank of gas and egg – we had to shut the windows’
On Facebook many locals have taken to share their concerns about the smell, with one user commenting: “We had it in The Close two afternoons running we thought it was from a dirty exhaust as a van had just pulled away! It was certainly a horrible smell and definitely like gas!”
A second user wrote: “Was working over wick Littlehampton Tuesday and it stank of gas/egg over there. Had to shut the windows.”
Another added: “It stinks again now over east beach side. Sort of sulphurous and gassy. Woke me up at dawn as well.”
Some have speculated that the problem could be a gas leak closer to home, but Dan Brown, spokesperson for gas company SGN, has denied that the smell is coming from their gas network. He said: “We understand residents might be concerned about the smell in the air in these towns over the last couple of days.
“We’ve responded to dozens of reports, and our engineers have carried out investigations and safety checks at each reported location. There’s nothing to suggest the smell is coming from our gas network.”
Cllr Paul Wells described the scent as a “very rich, potent gas smell” which was making people “feel faint”- but says that he is unsure on the cause. The Lib Dem councillor, from Bognor Regis Town Council, said: “I’ve not been able to find out where the smell has originated from.
“There has been some suggestion it’s come ashore from the Channel. I will be raising it as a question at our next Town Council meeting.”
Strong and unpleasant ‘rich, potent gas smell’
In a statement online, Chichester District Council said: “The smell is described as strong and unpleasant like a ‘rich, potent gas smell’ or similar to rotten eggs. It has been reported along the south coast of England, including Chichester, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton as well as Kent, and parts of Surrey and London.
“The smell is believed to be caused by a gas leak from a chemical factory in Rouen, France, which the wind has carried across the English Channel. While the odour has caused concern and has prompted calls to emergency services, it is not considered dangerous and does not pose a health risk.
“The gas contains mercaptan, an additive used to give gas a detectable odour, even though natural gas itself does not have an odour.”
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