Emergency gas workers rushed to a small seaside town amid fears of a gas leak – only to find the pong was actually coming from a batch of the world’s smelliest fruit.
Residents in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, were sent into panic today after they got a whiff of a ‘strong gassy smell’ on the high street.
A charity shop reported the stench and Cadent gas company quickly sent an engineer to their aid, who began investigating the suspected fault.
Such leaks can be highly dangerous or even fatal, by causing fires or gas poisoning – so the town naturally descended into chaos when they smelt something fishy.
After finding nothing in the charity shop or the body care outlet next door, the worker tried the greengrocer on the clothing store’s other side.
And it was in Strongs Fruit and Veg where the cause of the stench was eventually discovered.
The scent had been emanating from a few small boxes of durian fruit, a distinctive large yellow crop from southeast Asia, with a thorny shell and creamy flesh.
It is known for the highly unusual strong odour it gives off – which some experience as sweet and enjoyable, while others find it overwhelming and unpleasant.
Emergency gas workers rushed to a small seaside town amid fears of a gas leak – only to find the pong was actually coming from a batch of the world’s smelliest fruit (pictured)
Residents in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, were sent into panic today after they got a whiff of a ‘strong gassy smell’ on the high street – and it was in Strongs Fruit and Veg (pictured, the owner Andrew Simpkins) where the cause of the stench was found
The scent had been emanating from a few small boxes of durian fruit (pictured)
Some parts of Asia have even gone as far as to ban people from bringing the fruit in hotels or on public transport because its smell is so powerful.
Shop assistant Wai Peng Cheng, 51, and his partner Candy Pooi Kuan Lam, 46, recently discovered durian fruit on a holiday to Malaysia this month.
They suggested to the shop owner Andrew Simpkins, 61, that he stock the unique delicacy and he agreed, taking the first delivery on September 16.
Mr Cheng, who was on duty during the engineer’s visit, said the worker did not believe him at first when he told him the produce was the pungent perpetrator.
‘It was only when I took him outside and gave one to him that he realised. We all just started laughing. It was hilarious,’ he explained.
Mr Simpkins said some police officers had even been called to the suspected leak: ‘I knew it smelled bad but I didn’t think it would bring the gas board out.’
But despite the malodorous incident, he said the new stock – on sale for £22 per 500g – had been highly popular among shoppers.
‘I tried some for the first time – I was sceptical at first but it has a pleasant aftertaste,’ he said.
Shop assistant Wai Peng Cheng, 51, and his partner Candy Pooi Kuan Lam, 46, recently discovered durian fruit on a holiday to Malaysia this month. They suggested to the shop owner Andrew Simpkins (pictured), 61, that he stock the unique delicacy and he agreed
Phil Hendrick, head of operational delivery at Cadent’s northwest branch, confirmed no gas leak was detected in any of the three shops.
And he said it is quite common that suspected leaks, upon investigation, are thankfully found to be something quite different.
Other previous culprits behind a gassy scent include factory discharges, aviation fuel and dockside work – but none quite so unexpected as a stinky fruit.
But Mr Hendrick emphasised: ‘If you ever smell gas, calling it in is always the right thing to do, every time. Don’t take chances.
‘Act immediately and ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, day or night.
‘Our engineers carry sensitive equipment that can detect even the smallest traces of gas.
‘Whether it turns out to be gas, or just a smelly fruit, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.’
Cadent operates this emergency service for four of the UK’s eight gas distribution network areas.
