INDIANAPOLIS -- Home and business owners were told to stay in their homes Monday afternoon after a leak at a chemical facility on Indianapolis' southwest side.

People began complaining about a strange odor at about 2 p.m. near the Vertellus Specialties facility, which used to be Reilly Tar and Chemical, in the 1500 block of South Tibbs Avenue.

Firefighters and hazardous materials crews were dispatched to the scene and discovered that a substance known as 2-Vinylpyridine, or 2-VP, had been leaking since about 1 p.m., 6News' Ericka Flye reported.

Residents were urged to stay inside and close their doors and windows in automated phone calls that were sent via reverse 911 to people who live downwind of the plant.

The wind at the time of the leak was southwesterly, which means people who live northeast of the plant got the calls.

In large quantities, 2-VP can be toxic. It causes skin irritation and respiratory problems in large concentrations.

Indianapolis fire Capt. Justin Sparks said tests found no evidence of 2-VP in the air.

The leak was contained about three hours after it began. Plant officials said it took some time to stop the leak because the system that manufactures the chemical must be cooled before it can be completely shut down.

"We will go through and do a root cause analysis and determine exactly what caused the incident," said Richard White, Vertellus' vice president of operations. "Then, we'll put recommendations in place to prevent it in the future."

Students who were kept at their schools during the leak were released.

"My eyes just watered. My throat -- I couldn't hardly breathe," said Clyde Brown, who lives blocks away from the facility.

Brown said he and his neighbors are upset with odors they say often flow from the plant.

"You can come out here and you have to go right back inside because it will either smell like dead fish or rotten eggs," said David White, who also lives near the factory.

Brown said white particles that he believes come from clouds that hover over his home come from the factory.

There was a small explosion at the plant over the weekend, but officials said they don't think that had anything to do with the leak.