Sulphur smell not linked to us - water company

A water company has said it has "no connection" to a smell of gas reported by a resident after a pipe burst near his West Sussex home.

Almodington resident Jon Giles detected strong smells inside his property after the burst on 30 December.

Southern Water said it had carried out an investigation into "reports of sulphur and methane odours" but found "no connection with our works or assets".

It said repairs to the sewage main were completed last week and it did not offer an alternative explanation for the gas smell.

Mr Giles said he had to take his children to a neighbouring property when "our house filled up with methane and sulphur".

He said he and his wife tried to find a hotel "but it was too late" so they stayed in a bedroom and blocked off the door and window.

Methane - which is colourless and odourless - can be dangerous to humans as it can become an asphyxiate in high concentrations.

Inhaling sulphur dioxide, meanwhile, can irritate the nose, eyes, throat and lungs.

Both gases are found in sewers.

Tankers were spotted collecting sewage from the burst pipe from the early hours of 30 December.

They numbered 10 at one point but all had since left the scene, Southern Water said.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.