RUMFORD (WGME) -- The Town of Rumford is warning residents to stay away from "brown snow." The town says a malfunction at the mill released spent black liquor, causing tan or brownish snow. This is mostly affecting areas near the mill, like Falmouth Street, Cumberland Street and Waldo Street.

A couple inches of snow fell in Rumford Monday night and Tuesday morning, but in parts of the community, people noticed brown or tan snow falling from the sky. The town said Tuesday there was a malfunction at the paper mill that caused a release of spent black liquor,

The discoloured snow has been caused by a chemical emitted from a century old paper mill and is non-toxic but can cause skin and eye irritation so it should be avoided

Residents of a Maine town are being asked to avoid touching or ingesting the “brown” show that fell in the area.

Recent rounds of winter weather have been impacting portions of the Northeast and New England, but residents in one Maine town were greeted with a peculiar sight on Tuesday -- brown snow.

Residents of a Maine town are being asked to avoid touching or ingesting the “brown” show that fell in the area. (Credit: Corbin Wardwell via Storyful)