Officials say excess additive in gas lines triggered widespread smell reports
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MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) – Local emergency management, fire, and public safety officials addressed reports of gas leaks Tuesday at East Mississippi State Hospital, several nursing homes, and residences across Meridian and Lauderdale County, saying no actual leaks have been detected.
Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency Director Odie Barrett said an excess amount of mercaptan — an additive injected into natural gas lines to make the odorless, colorless gas detectable — was introduced into the lines serving the city.
Barrett said the additive did not burn off correctly, leaving residue inside homes and other buildings.
“There’s no main danger right now,” Barrett said. “There’s an extra mercaptan that’s been put in the line, so a lot of people are calling in with the smell of gas.”
Barrett said mercaptan is added to gas at the point of distribution within the City of Meridian, making the concentration of reports largely citywide. He said some Atmos Energy customers in the county may also be affected, but most rural residents operate on propane.
Meridian Fire Department Assistant Chief Eric Hardy said crews responded to numerous calls beginning around 7 a.m. at nursing homes, East Mississippi State Hospital, and residential addresses. Hardy said fire department meters did not detect any gas readings at the scenes.
“As of right now, we have not found any leaks whatsoever,” Hardy said.
Barrett said Lauderdale County EMA, Meridian Fire Department, Meridian Public Safety, and Atmos Energy have been working together throughout the day. He said fire trucks have been rolling all day and response efforts are expected to continue for approximately another day and a half while gas lines are cleared.
Meridian Public Safety Director Greg Morgan said the situation is being actively monitored.
“We’re monitoring the situation with LEMA and the fire department and the gas companies,” Morgan said. “We will keep everyone posted on all the current events and we’ll let you know when it should be over.”
Barrett and Meridian Public Safety Deputy Director John Hollingsworth urged residents not to assume the smell is only the additive.
“Don’t be complacent. If you walk in your home, if you’ve got a water heater that runs on gas, you’ve been gone all day, you make it home, you still may smell some of that — call 9-1-1. Have the fire department come out. Call Atmos. Have them come out and double-check,” Barrett said.
Hollingsworth said residents who smell gas should vacate the home immediately, leave doors open, and call 911. He said side effects of remaining inside while exposed to the smell can include dizziness and lightheadedness.
“We don’t want anybody to stay inside and say, well, it’s just the extra additive,” Hollingsworth said. “We want to double-check and make sure that the home is safe and the people living there are safe.”
Officials also recommended residents ensure CO2 detectors and smoke alarms are functioning inside their homes.
