Source of mystery odor remains... a mystery
BELLINGHAM -- The source of a mystery odor, described as anything from sulfur to methane to petroleum, plaguing neighborhoods south of Bellingham continues to remain, well, a mystery.
According to the Bellingham Herald, more than 100 callers called police, 911 and Cascade Natural Gas Wednesday and Thursday to report a mysterious odor coming off the water and wafting through neighborhoods. The calls started in the area of Fieldston Road and moved north toward Columbia and Birchwood Neighborhoods, starting on Wednesday when more than 20 people called to report a natural gas leak.
Technicians from the Cascade Natural Gas company reported to the area with gas detection equipment but could not detect dangerous levels of oxygen or other gasses. However, officials did mention they could smell the pungent odor, the Herald reported.
Other agencies called to the area, such as the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Department of Ecology, did not know what caused the smell. Possible causes, such as a smelly train passing through or decaying plant matter from low tide were ruled out.
The Herald reported this is the second wave of mystery smells to hit Bellingham this summer.