Mystery as 'gas cloud' with 'eggy smell' plagues city residents

William Morgan, Tristan Cork & Isabelle Bates
·2-min read
A pungent egg smell has plagued an area
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Residents across a large area in England have complained about an 'eggy smell' this week. The pungent odour could be smelt in parts of Bristol.

People living in some of the south of the city reported a sulphurous smell at 7pm on Monday, November 11. Locals from Ashton, where homes fetch £130,000 more than the national average, to the leafy suburbs of Bedminster Down, Bishopsworth and Highridge, reported the mysterious putrid smell, which only became stronger by around 9pm.

Wales and West Utilities are responsible for managing Bristol's gas supply infrastructure. They confirmed the company received multiple calls about the smell of gas, prompting engineers to search the area for the source.

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But despite their efforts, the experts were unable to locate the source but reassured residents that it wasn't a gas leak from the pipes and posed no threat to public safety. A spokesperson for Wales and West Utilities suggested that the smell was likely a 'gas cloud'.

This is a phenomenon where odours from industrial processes or waste treatment areas accumulate in calm weather conditions and drift over a larger area. It is believed that the smell could have originated from one of the many current industrial and waste sites, or historic landfill sites on the south western edge of Bristol, The Mirror reports.

A spokesperson said: "Yesterday (November 11), we received several calls reporting a smell of gas in the BS3 area of South Bristol. "Our engineers visited affected areas and carried out all our necessary safety checks, but there were no readings of gas in the air and this smell has not been caused by a leak from our gas network.

"However, if anyone ever smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999. Trained colleagues will take their call, give them advice, and our engineers will be there to help, day or night."

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