Smell of Petrol in House

[User0658]

Yesterday when I came home the downstairs of our property stank of petrol. I called the gas company and they came to check there was no gas leak which there wasn't. They said it's likely someone had flushed petrol down the drains, and as the pipes run under our house the smell/petrol would be under the house.

My partner spoke to our neighbour, we are semi detached and our driveways are attached, he said he had spilt a tiny bit of petrol when cleaning out his tools but the smell is still really strong a day later.

I feel uneasy that there is potentially a load of a petrol under the property.

My mum suggested calling the fire brigade to flush the pipes out?

No idea what I should do or how long it will last.

Any ideas?

Petrol evaporates so the smell will go eventually. Could help it along by pouring a full bucket of water down all the toilets.

I have read this story on here before!

I would call the fire brigade and depending on what they say your house insurance.

We aired the house out yesterday when we thought it was a gas leak and it went but now it's back.

It's mainly in our under stairs cupboard and the stairs are on the outside wall next to the driveway. But unsure how it would of got onto our driveway and into the house as our driveway is raised above our neighbours.

We are going to pull up the boards on the stairs and see if it is under the house.

I've read an article online that says it happened and the whole road was evacuated I don't want to call and make a fuss about nothing but also feel really uneasy about the whole thing with the smell still being so strong a day on..

@TheWholeWorld ive tried to find the other thread but can't find it.. do you know what the outcome was ?

I found the thread

Neighbour has spilled petrol and my whole house stinks http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4219138-Neighbour-has-spilled-petrol-and-my-whole-house-stinks

Very similar initially but different circumstances in the end but concerning they had to move out

I'm just not sure if it's in the drains or somehow under our property/got in through the small holes for wires etc? It's so strange

Your neighbour is lying about spilling a bit of petrol, he's probably emptied a petrol powered tool or a petrol can down the drain. DP did this a few weeks ago. I couldn't believe the stupidity. Not only did he put a pollutant down the drain, but it's bloody dangerous too.

The fumes will disperse. Using the washing machine will probably help.

@WeAreTheHeroes yes it was from his power tools, he said he was emptying the petrol into a container and a small amount went onto the driveway. I just can't understand if it was in the drain why the smell is so strong under our stairs as this isn't where the drains run?

I don't know - air things as much as possible. The fumes will dissipate. Highly unlikely petrol has got into the fabric of your house.

This is how the other thread started.

We've pulled up the stairs and the smell is so strong under the stairs.

Spoken to the neighbour said definitely only spilt a small bit on their driveway (which is lower than ours)

No idea what to do next

Call your home insurance

@TheWholeWorld okay I'll call them now.

When yours went down the drain did the drain smell? As our drain doesn't smell

I don’t think your neighbour is being entirely truthful.

@DobbyTheHouseElk

Just tried the home insurance, due to the storm they're really busy, keeps hanging up on me which is just brilliant.

Read online even the fumes are flammable

I'd actually phone the local fire station.

@TheCanyon

I'd actually phone the local fire station.

I would call 999 tbh. But yes I think OP needs some official input now if get insurance aren't responding.

Get? Her!

I would phone the local fire station rather than 999.

Can't get through to local fire station. Feels wrong to call 999 but think we might have to. I just can't understand if he spilt petrol on his drive how has it got into my house?

Can you phone 101 and ask the police to put you through to your local station?

PS he’s not spilled petrol on his drive he’s poured loads down the drain as he is a fuckwit. As you say, a bit on the ground surely can’t end up in your pipes!

@Elieza 101 is just for the police I think.

It doesn't smell in the drain though, we've taken up the cover? The smell isn't coming from where the drains run under our house either. It's coming from under the stairs which is on the external wall next to the driveway

@Elieza

PS he’s not spilled petrol on his drive he’s poured loads down the drain as he is a fuckwit. As you say, a bit on the ground surely can’t end up in your pipes!

This... it's no coincidence is it. He's clearly lying to you. What an idiot

Blimey op, I don’t know if it’s the same for petrol and home heating oil but I know if there’s a home heating oil leak into the ground all the affected soil has to be excavated out. Hard to understand how the smell is so bad though if your neighbour is telling the truth about the amount. Have you brought him in to smell it? Not that that would benefit the situation in any way really.

Might be a daft suggestion, but how close is your local fire station? Could you nip down and ask for advice? I know ours is very open plan at the front and when not out and about there is usually someone there cleaning the engines etc