WALWORTH — A mysterious chemical odor that is suspected to have originated in central Illinois wafted across several Midwestern states Sunday and Monday, including into Walworth County.
Residents in the village of Walworth took to social media to share their concerns and theories.
The scent has been variously described by local authorities and community members as smelling like vinegar, burning electrical components, or heavy chemicals.
According to the Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue, officials have been tracking the reports for more than 12 hours.
The investigation has revealed that the odor spans a massive geographic area, stretching from central Illinois through Indiana and as far north as the Wisconsin border.
While the specific source remains unidentified, emergency management agencies believe the smell is originating from a location well south of the Wisconsin state line.
Residents are advised to call 911 only if they experience a life-threatening emergency or severe physical symptoms such as difficulty breathing.
To date, no injuries or illnesses have been officially linked to the airborne scent.