LYNN, Mass. (WBZ-AM) — A strong odor and high readings of gasoline fumes were detected in some commercial buildings in downtown Lynn, Mass.
The Lynn Fire Department detected potentially dangerous levels of gasoline fumes coming up from the sewer system, prompting the closure of several streets and some buildings.
“With an ignition source, we were worried that we could have an incident like they had in the Merrimack Valley when they had houses burning up all over the place. We weren’t in that situation because they were more widespread with an actual natural gas leak as opposed to a gasoline leak,” Deputy Fire Chief Arthur Richard “We were worried enough that we wanted to maintain a fire department presence there in case something happened.”
After venting the sewer system, the smell appears to have dissipated. A source has yet to be determined.
If the incident is a case of gasoline being dumped down a storm drain, venting is a solution. However, if the problem persists, Richard said the investigation will then focus on the Speedway gas station on Liberty Street.
“If it continues, then there would be an ongoing leak at that station as opposed to an intermittent, or some transient kind of leak that happened and is over,” Richard said.
The gas station will remain closed during the investigation.
WBZ NewsRadio1030 Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports