Emergency officials from Ashland and Mansfield responded Wednesday morning to numerous calls from residents concerned they smelled natural gas.
Some area schools closed as a precaution.
Ashland police and fire officials responded to than two dozen calls since 5:34 a.m., according to police reports.
Mansfield officials report similar incidents.
“The Mansfield Fire Department has received numerous calls reporting the odor of natural gas in businesses and residences throughout our city,” reads a press release issued earlier Wednesday.
Rebecca Owens, director of the Richland County Emergency Management Agency issued a statement as well.
“EMA has been advised of an evacuation at the Juvenile Detention Center,” Owens said. “No other evacuations have been reported to EMA.
“EMA is on stand-by and will respond if requested.”
Two elementary schools, Spanish Immersion and Woodland, in Mansfield closed because of the odor. All staff and students from Sherman and STEM schools in Mansfield were “transported and relocated to Malabar Intermediate School … due to a gas smell” so officials could investigate.
“We have been given the all clear from Columbia Gas at those buildings, the students will be returning to their home building for the remainder of the day,” reads a text message sent to parents in the Mansfield City School District.
As of 10:38 a.m., all MCS schools resumed normal operations, according to another text sent to parents.
Lexington Schools released students at 9:45 a.m. and cancelled YMCA afterschool care.
Schools in Ashland County remain in session, however; the Ashland County Council on Aging closed.
“All checks have come back negative; however, the distinct odor of gas is present,” the release from Mansfield stated. “We are currently in contact with representatives from Columbia to determine potential causes for the odor.”
The odor, according to Mansfield and Columbia Gas officials, can be linked to mercaptan — an additive used to give natural gas its distinct odor. The National Institute of Health states “mercaptans are generally considered to have low toxicity.”
Ashland Fire Capt. Robert McCrea said most of the division’s tests came back negative for leaks.
“You’re smelling the odorant,” he said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a natural gas leak.”
McCrea said if leaks in Ashland were detected, they were small. He encouraged people to call the fire department’s non-emergency line at 419-289-6511.
“And if you’re concerned, you can ventilate the house by opening windows and doors and see if (the smell) clears. If you’re still concerned, we’ll come check,” McCrea said.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said his office has been in contact with Columbia Gas and that “they assured me there is no immediate danger to our residents.”
Columbia Gas issued this statement:
“Our crews are aware of a gas odor in the areas of Mansfield, Ashland and Lexington. The situation is safe and the source of the odor is known. Although we have identified this odor source it is important to contact us at 1-800-344-4077 if you believe you are smelling a gas leak.”
Bill Loomer, a spokesman with the utility company, verified the smell is coming from mercaptan. He encouraged residents to call both Columbia Gas and the area’s non-emergency line.
Loomer said Columbia Gas has dispatched extra crews to “remediate.”