Mystery solved after 'strange smell causing headaches and nausea' reported in Runcorn
Two fire engines were called to what was initially suspected to be a gas leak on the town's outskirts.
A suspected gas leak believed to be causing headaches and nausea in Runcorn was traced to the problem's real cause - a fault with a septic tank pipe.
Firefighters were called to reports of a "strange smell" at a house on Delph Lane near Daresbury at 11.04am on Friday, December 31.
The occupant was suffering nausea and headaches and there were concerns a gas leak could be to blame.
Two fire engines, from Runcorn and Widnes, attended and the crews used a gas detector to confirm there was no leak.
They instead traced the source of the smell to a leak in a "soil pipe leading to a septic tank".
The problem was passed to a plumber.
