Stench closes part of New Orleans City Hall, reports point to rats

A foul odor is wafting through New Orleans City Hall. Is it exploding rats?

"Due to the lingering smell in the West Wing of the First Floor of City Hall, the offices located in the West Wing of the First Floor of City Hall are closed to the public," the mayor's office said in a news release.

The Cantrell administration says crews are ruling out sources of the stench.

"The Department of Property Management, Entergy, and the New Orleans Fire Department confirmed that the odor detected on Sept. 4 did not originate from a gas leak, but the source of the smell is still being investigated."

New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno told The Times-Picayune - The New Orleans Advocate that she was informed the stink was a result of dead rats in the building.

It was not immediately clear if the deceased rodents had been killed by extermination. The paper reported sources saying some rats may have exploded in the walls.

Moreno said she could not confirm that rodents had exploded.

Offices closed include the Bureaus of Revenue and Treasury, the Office of the Registrar of Voters, and the Department of Sanitation.

"All other portions of City Hall will remain open, and the affected City offices will remain open virtually."