Do You Smell Natural Gas in Essex-Middle River?

(UPDATED 1:49 p.m.) An oil spill from a refinery in New Jersey is apparently to

Baltimore County police confirmed that the smell, described as similar to natural gas, had spread from a major oil spill at a refinery in Paulsboro, New Jersey.

Patch's Sean Welsh and Kirstin Dize reports a number of Harford County fire departments have responded to calls for the smell of natural gas since before 8 a.m. There have also been some residents who have reported smelling natural gas in Towson.

A story from West Deptford Patch in New Jersey indicated a major leak at a refinery posed no health threat.

"What people are smelling is the fumes. They are attempting to control it, but the wind is blowing it toward us," said Elise Armacost, a Baltimore County police spokeswoman.

Armacost emphasized that the smell was not a public health hazard and would likely dissipate when the wind changed direction.

Maryland Department of the Environment spokesman Jay Apperson said they are aware of the odor but have not been asked to respond by the local jurisdictions.

Do you smell natural gas in Essex or Middle River? Tell us in the comments section below