An engineer was dispatched to the scene of a gas leak in the city centre, which was caused by a strong-smelling piece of fruit from a greengrocer.
A Cadent gas worker visited a number of shops in Lytham, Lancashire, to check for gas after a customer reported a strong smell of the toxic substance.
Once they got to the Strongs Fruit and Veg store, the staff informed them that it was actually durian, known as the smelliest fruit in the world.
Sales assistants Wai Peng Cheng, 51, and his partner Candy Pui Kuan Lam, 46, were unaware of the emergency call and had “no idea” what was happening when they spotted the engineer with his testing equipment.
Wai Peng said: “Around 1pm, we saw a gas engineer drive up to the store and go into a nearby charity shop.
“About an hour later he tried to go into a body shop on the other side before going into Strongs.
“He said he was looking for a gas leak and that it was reported to a nearby charity shop after a customer told them about a strong smell of gas.”
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Mr. Cheng told the engineer that the smell came from the durian, but at first he didn't believe him.
“He only realized it when I took him outside and gave him a cigarette,” he added.
“We all just laughed, it was hilarious – then he checked outside for a gas leak just to make sure, but of course there wasn't one, and left at 4pm.”
Durian fruit is a popular delicacy grown primarily in Southeast Asia.
They have a strong, pungent smell of rotting onions, and in some parts of Asia they are even banned from hotels and public transport.
Wai Peng and Candy were on holiday in Malaysia and when they returned to the UK earlier this month, they asked Strongs store owner Andrew Simpkins, 61, if they could take the fruit into storage, which he agreed to.
The store received a shipment of fruit last week and later that day, hours before the incident, it was put up for sale.
They sell fruit for 22 pounds per 500g.
Andrew said: “I knew the smell was bad but I didn't think it would attract the attention of the gas company.”
“They told me there were some police officers there too.
“We only bought a small box this week, but they're all gone from the shelves.
“I tried it for the first time and was skeptical at first, but it has a nice aftertaste.”
Phil Hendrick, Head of Operational Delivery (North West) at Cadent, said: “One of our engineers responded to a report of a gas smell inside the building.
“As part of routine checks, he visited neighbouring properties, including a fruit and vegetable shop, and found no traces of gas in any of the buildings.”
“As a gas emergency response service, we respond to thousands of gas smells each year.
“Luckily, most of them are not gas related.”
(Photo: William Laley/SWNS)
Over the years, he said, the company has been monitoring odors from everything from factory emissions and jet fuel to port activity and, occasionally, durian fruit.
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He added: “If you ever smell gas, it's always a good idea to call the emergency services. Don't take any chances. Act immediately and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, any time of day or night.”
“Our engineers have sensitive equipment that can detect even the smallest traces of gas.
“Whether it turns out to be gas or just stinky fruit, it's always better to be safe than sorry.”
Cadent operates the gas emergency response service across four of the UK's eight gas distribution network areas.
Sourse: metro.co.uk
