Oct 28, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The local fire department, county emergency 911 and Columbia Gas workers received numerous reports late Wednesday from several locations throughout the city of gas odors being detected in residences. Connellsville deputy fire Chief Dennis Petrowski said it was determined that a gas line additive that had been placed into the transmission lines earlier in the day had caused the odor, but residents reacted responsibly by placing calls to local authorities.

The calls began at about 7 p.m. Wednesday and continued into the early morning hours, according to a county emergency 911 spokeswoman.

Petrowski and New Haven Hose Co. volunteer firefighters responded to five emergency calls in less than two hours including East Crawford Avenue, North Manor, Riverview Apartments, West Murphy Avenue and South Carnegie Avenue before Columbia Gas workers began the task of checking the source of the odor.

“Once or twice a year, the gas company puts an odorant into the lines because natural gas is naturally odorless,” said Petrowski. “It allows them to check for leaks.”

Petrowski speculated odorant placed in the transmission lines Wednesday exceeded normal amounts.

“It was so highly concentrated, everyone thought they had a leak,” he said.

Carol Staines, executive director at Riverview Apartments, said fire company members checked two fourth-floor apartments after gas-like odors were reported to maintenance workers by the residents.

In one instance, said Staines, the pilot light of a gas stove was found to be extinguished and was relit by the fire company.

“Everybody was fine and there was no evacuation,” she said.

Rob Boulware, Columbia Gas communications manager, said Thursday that mercaptan was the additive used by workers.

“It is added as a safety precaution,” said Boulware, adding that the chemical gives off an odor similar to rotting eggs.

During the inspections, Boulware said that the gas company workers did find residential appliances with leaks and disconnected the fuel lines. A low-grade leak was also detected in a company line.

“It certainly could be an inconvenience, but it did give customers and the company an opportunity to find if there were any problems on the residential system or on our own lines,” said Boulware. “Safety is always important.”

Natural gas is colorless and odorless when it enters the home. The mercaptan is added to allow for detection, said Boulware.

“We tell customers that if they believe they have a leak and are inside the home, contact the gas company from a safe location immediately and have us check out the problem,” he said. “You want to take all the necessary precautions.”

If there is a gas odor, don’t light a match or candle, extinguish all cigarettes, don’t open windows in an attempt to ventilate the area and don’t touch an electrical switch or use the telephone.

“If the light switch is on, let it on,” said Boulware.

To report a gas leak or odor, contact Columbia Gas at 888-460-4332.