Fire departments across Lake and Geauga counties said they have been inundated with calls regarding residents smelling the odor of natural gas.
The Painesville Fire Department says it contacted local gas companies about the smell and "was informed that both companies changed suppliers over the weekend and that an excessive amount of the odor additive Mercaptan was the issue."
Mercaptan gives natural gas, which is odorless, the smell of rotten eggs. An excess amount of the chemical is causing some lingering odor when turning on appliances.
According to Painesville Fire, Enbridge and Ohio Natural Gas are responding to all calls from concerned residents. The fire department said: "Both Enbridge Gas and Northeast Ohio Natural Gas will respond to all calls about natural gas odors both inside and outside structures. PCFD will also respond to all calls of gas odors to make sure no hazards exist. Please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you smell natural gas. Evacuate the building and wait for the fire department."
The Mentor Fire Department said the amount of calls it has been receiving concerning the smell has been declining.
In Geauga County, Chardon Fire asked anyone who smells gas or something strange to call their local fire department.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
The last time there was a mystery odor in Northeast Ohio, it turned out to be jet fuel that NASA used to simulate space exploration flight tests:
RELATED: Mystery solved — We found out what the funky smell in Lakewood and nearby areas is
