A strong odor in the Detroit area has been blamed on a problem at a Marathon Petroleum refinery.
The company released a statement Sunday, apologizing and saying the odor is related to a flare that needs to be repaired. A flare is a safety device that allows Marathon to combust excess materials at the refinery in southwestern Detroit. The flare is being deactivated.
Marathon says it hasn’t detected dangerous levels of any substances. WDIV-TV reporter Larry Spruillwas at the refinery and described the smell as “terrible.” He could barely speak.
Wind blowing from the west is carrying the odor north and northeast. Some people noticed it miles away in Warren in Macomb County.