News Summary
Residents in San Antonio reported a strong odor from mercaptan on the South Side, leading to numerous 911 calls. Authorities confirm that the situation poses no danger, attributing the smell to routine maintenance at a local gas facility. While the distinctive odor can be alarming, it is not harmful in open air, and the SAFD reassures the community of their safety. Citizens are encouraged to report any gas-like odors.
San Antonio experienced a significant release of mercaptan on the South Side on Wednesday morning, June 18, 2025, leading to numerous 911 calls from citizens concerned about a possible natural gas leak. Authorities have confirmed that there is no danger to residents and that mercaptan, while it can emit a strong odor, is not harmful on its own in open-air settings.
The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) reported that mercaptan is a chemical typically used to give odor to natural gas, making it detectable since natural gas itself is odorless. The release occurred during routine maintenance at one of the West Texas Gas facilities in San Antonio, which inadvertently caused the distinctive smell to spread. Although the release happened earlier in the morning, some residents throughout the city, including areas near Lackland Air Force Base, continued to notice the gas-like odor. The base confirmed the presence of the smell but assured that operations would return to normal.
In response to the incident, CPS Energy has advised anyone still detecting the odor to contact them for assistance at 210-353-HELP (4357). Citizens are reminded to leave their homes immediately and report any suspected gas leaks to CPS Energy or dial 911. While CPS Energy is prepared to handle the increased volume of calls related to the odor, they noted that the high call volume may lead to delayed responses from technicians.
The SAFD emphasized that toxic levels of mercaptan are only found in concentrated amounts within enclosed spaces, meaning the open-air incident did not pose a risk to public safety. Additionally, the SAFD has been actively reassuring the community that there is no immediate danger and that the odor is expected to dissipate as the day progresses. However, they stressed the importance of reporting any potential gas smells, despite the known nature of the mercaptan release.
West Texas Gas clarified that the incident was a result of a routine maintenance operation and not related to any actual natural gas leak. As residents reported the smell throughout the day, particularly noting its presence near the military base, public safety measures remained a priority. The SAFD continues to monitor the situation and provide updates to the community regarding safety protocols.
Residents are encouraged to stay alert and report any gas-like odors they may encounter. Although mercaptan is an important safety measure for detecting natural gas leaks, the recent incident serves as a reminder of the system’s effectiveness and the necessity of vigilant communication between residents and utility services.
As the situation unfolds, safety officials maintain that the odor may linger in various parts of San Antonio until later in the evening of the incident. Authorities assure that while the strong smell can be alarming, overall safety is intact, and there is no reason for alarm regarding public health.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Mercaptan
- KENS 5
- Google Search: San Antonio Fire Department
- CultureMap San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Natural Gas Odor
- CultureMap San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gas Leak Detection
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google News: CPS Energy
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
