KUALA LUMPUR – Australian firefighters broke out their hazmat suits after complaints of “pungent gas” wafting in Dickson Shops in the Australian capital of Canberra, thinking it was a gas leak.
It turned out to be durians.
According to 9News Australia, the public was initially told to avoid the premises of Dickson Shops, where the leak was thought to have occurred.
However, a tenant informed authorities that the smell came from durians stored in a unit on an upper level.
Australians on social media found the incident hilarious.
“Idea for next year. Bring durian to work so that we all get to go home early,” said Facebook user Kez Teo.
Another Facebook user likened the incident to the time he was standing above a manhole.
“Kat Duff, remember we were in Hanoi the first morning when I was convinced I smelt durian, but you said we are standing above an open sewerage manhole,” Phuong Tran said.
Meanwhile, Nadia Gabellone, said durians had once caused an evacuation at her office premises.
“This happened at one of my workplaces. A clever staff member brought durian to work and opened it in the lunchroom.
“The entire building was evacuated due to a gas leak, meanwhile he was munching away.”
A similar incident was reported two years ago, when authorities evacuated University of Canberra’s library due to durians in the rubbish bin. – The Vibes, October 15, 2021
