Strange smells reported throughout southern Netherlands

Fire departments in the provinces of Gelderland, Brabant and Limburg have been receiving reports of a strange stench in the provinces since the early hours of Tuesday morning. The first report came in at the Brabant-Noord fire department around 2:00 a.m., ANP reports.

According to the fire department, whatever is causing the smell seems not to be in the Netherlands. Rather an easterly wind is blowing the smell into our country. What exactly is causing the smell is still unclear. The fire department made inquiries in Germany, but so far there is no explanation.

Residents in the three provinces describe the smell as "a pungent burning smell", "cat food" or "old chicken broth" according to Omroep Brabant. The environmental complaints center received numerous complaints about a "chemical" or "herbal" smell. Most of the reports are coming from Den Bosch and its surrounds.

So far there's been no reports of the smell making anyone ill. The fire department advices anyone with health complaints to contact their doctor immediately.