Toxic sewer gas kills 3 in southeast Texas manhole near sewer plant

TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — Three people are dead in southeast Texas after inhaling toxic sewer gas on Wednesday afternoon.

Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said recovery efforts are underway after they received reports of three people being found unconscious. Authorities have not released the identities of the deceased.

The gas, hydrogen sulfide, caused the surrounding area of a sewer plant in the Westwood Shores area to go under a shelter-in-place, which was lifted shortly after 5 p.m. At this time, people are asked to avoid a quarter-mile radius from the plant as first responders tend to the scene. Wallace said there is no threat to the public.

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic, flammable, colorless gas and is described to have a “rotten egg” smell. The gas is commonly found in manholes and sewers due to bacterial breakdown of organic matter, especially in stagnant wastewater.

Updates will be provided on the department’s Facebook.

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