What a stink! Source of gas smell over Hampshire revealed

The fire service took numerous calls from worried people

Author: Jason BeckPublished 25th Jun 2022

People are being reassured that a strong smell of gas across part of Hampshire late on Friday night was not harmful.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said it took numerous calls from people in Whiteley, Swanmore and across the Meon Valley concerned about the odour.

The smell was caused by the leak of an additive that is added to gas at Fawley oil refinery.

Exxonmobil spokesperson Annita McCurdy said: "Last night, we experienced an operational upset which caused an unpleasant smell in some of the nearby area.

"We would like to reassure our community that the smell was not harmful to health and the issue has now been resolved. Any residual smell will continue to dissipate.

"Our community is greatly important to us. We acknowledge the alarm and disruption the smell may have caused, and we are deeply sorry for the impact on local residents."

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