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His nose knew

This carrier smelled a gas leak while delivering mail and took action

Springfield, MA, City Carrier Assistant Joseph Morales Caraballo, left, with homeowner Steve Cary and Juan Cabrera, the local acting station manager.
Springfield, MA, City Carrier Assistant Joseph Morales Caraballo, left, with homeowner Steve Cary and Juan Cabrera, the local acting station manager.

While making deliveries in Springfield, MA, recently, City Carrier Assistant Joseph Morales Caraballo noticed a strong smell of leaking gas near a house.

He knocked on the door to alert the residents, but no one was home.

Caraballo asked a neighbor to call the homeowner, Steve Cary, who was vacationing in Florida. The Postal Service employee then called the fire department while the neighbor called the gas company.

A representative from the gas company found a leak coming from a 4-foot hose near the chimney.

Cary returned home the following week, grateful for the carrier’s actions.

Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.