Modern Mysteries

Mystery stench plagues residents of small town of Calne in England

By T.K. Randall
April 3, 2025 ·  6 comments

Nobody can figure out what the smell is. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 2.0 Stuart Logan Residents of the town of Calne in Wiltshire are at the end of their tether due to a pungent smell - described as being similar to gas or eggs - that has been plaguing their lives for weeks.

To make matters worse, local authorities have been unable to determine what's causing it.

"It smells like you've been cooking with gas but haven't lit the gas," said Christa Phillips - owner of a local haberdashery and craft shop. "I have checked - we haven't got any gas in the building."

"Other times a rural smell, a bit more eggy, that one I can cope with."

The phenomenon is said to be intermittent, giving residents at least some respite from the stench.Local water company Wessex Water has stated that it has been unable to find anything amiss.

"We've carried out odor assessments at our sewerage assets, which are operating normally, and offered to meet with representatives of Wiltshire Council to help with their investigations," the company wrote.

While some residents had suspected that a nearby landfill may be the source of the smell, a local councillor who has since investigated the site has insisted that it is not to blame.

As things stand, local authorities are continuing to investigate the phenomenon.

So far, no explanation for the stench has been found.

Source: BBC News | Comments (6)

Tags: Smell