Officials from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District said an odor that prompted some people to call 911 over the weekend appears to have subsided, but the origin of the smell remains a mystery.
Fire district representatives issued a safety alert on social media Sunday, saying they received multiple 911 calls regarding an unknown odor described as a chemical or burning electrical smell in the air.
“Reports have been ongoing for approximately the last 12 hours and span a wide area, from central Illinois through Indiana and as far north as the Wisconsin border,” officials said in the social media post.
Officials said the source of the odor was unknown Sunday, but that it appeared to be coming from “a distance quite south of the area.”
Officials said they actively monitored the situation and coordinated with regional partners and other agencies to gather additional information.
On Monday, officials said the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District received no additional 9-1-1 calls or complaints due to the reported odor on Sunday.
Officials also added that they do not have confirmation of the origin of the smell.
“While we are aware of rumored causes being discussed on social media, we cannot verify or confirm the source of the odor,” officials said Monday.
Officials added they will provide updates if any new, confirmed information becomes available.