City Investigating Gasoline Odor Reports
The City's Environmental Services Division, Sewers and Drainage Division, and Toledo Fire and Rescue Department began responding to reports of gasoline odors Monday evening. Crews are working with the Ohio EPA and State Fire Marshal to identify the source.Air monitoring has identified the Cherry Street and Central Avenue area as a focus of the investigation, but the source has not yet been confirmed. Earlier today, crews flushed the sewer line. If residents smell gasoline odor inside their home, they should:
open a nearby window to ventilate the area
place a wet cloth around their sewer P-Trap to reduce the amount of odor that may enter their home
Report the gasoline odor inside their home to Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020
Air monitoring will continue in the area as crews work to identify the source.
Update: September 23, 2026
The City’s Environmental Services Division has responded to 15 complaints of gasoline odor in homes since Monday evening. Toledo Fire and Rescue has responded to an additional 10 calls from residents regarding gasoline odor in homes, and Environmental Services is following up with those residents as well.
Residents have been asked to cover any exposed drains, fill their P-traps with water, and open windows for additional ventilation.
Additionally, the sewer line has been continually flushed which is reducing the gasoline odor, elevated VOC levels, and impact to residents.
The investigation for the source is still ongoing. Petroleum Services is evaluating the tanks and meters at the gas station at the corner of Cherry Street and Central Ave. We anticipate their evaluation will be complete this afternoon and we will know more about our next steps regarding the investigation at that time.
Update: September 24, 2026
The source of the gasoline leak has been identified at the gas station at the corner of Cherry and Central. The leak has been isolated and contained – it is no longer entering our sewer system.
The Ohio EPA and the City’s Environmental Services Division will oversee the repair efforts and continue air monitoring until the repair is complete.
Update: October 2, 2026
A contractor excavated the gas station site this week and located the leak in the gasoline line as well as a break in the sewer lateral on the owner's property.
The property's sewer line is blocked to eliminate any potential gasoline discharge into the city's sewer system. The gas station has been closed for service until all repairs have been made.
The City's Environmental Services Division will continue air quality monitoring.