Natural gas smell along 70th street due to contaminated dirt, not gas leaks

Dirt contaminated with mercaptan, the chemical used to give natural gas its smell, caused concern for businesses and schools along 70th street. 

Nancy Crist, with Lincoln Fire and Rescue, said a tank of mercaptan was found buried in dirt near 84th and Old Cheney and caused a strong odor. 

Tuesday afternoon, crews with Black Hills Energy were moving the contaminated dirt from 84th and Old Cheney to the landfill north of town. 

This prompted four businesses and schools to report a natural gas smell to the police. Calls came from 75th and Van Dorn, 79th and Pioneers, Lincoln East High School and Meadow Lane Elementary school. 

Lincoln Fire and Rescue tested natural gas levels at all locations and found no leaks. 

Mercaptan is not dangerous, Crist said.