It was one of the most bizarre evacuations in Plymouth's recent history - and after stumbling across the bizarre tale in our archives we decided there was no time like the present to remind you of it.
Many people will have forgotten the time emergency services sealed off part of Plymouth city centre in what was thought to be a dangerous gas leak just under six years ago.
The incident on October 18, 2013, sparked widespread panic on New George Street and in the West End of the city centre.
But it quickly emerged that there was no gas leak at all and the offending, very pongy, object was quickly traced.
The smell turned out to be coming from a truck load of pungent durian fruit, which were being delivered to a nearby Asian grocery store.
Popular in Thailand, durians are distinctive for their large size, strong odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk.
Staff at Y W Foods behind New George Street, which was taking the delivery, happily posed for photographs with the stinky fruit.
Lotus We, who worked in Y W Foods, said at the time: "We'd just had a delivery and put them in the fridges as normal.
"Some of the firefighters came in and asked if we had gas, we said no and said it might be the fruit as they have a strong smell."
"They are a popular fruit in Thailand – they are sold by weight – one we sold earlier today was £27."
Shoppers, office workers and employees from a row of stores were forced to retreat behind a cordon while fire crews investigated the powerful smell on New George Street, at around 4.30pm.
Customers in Premier Stores had complained of the strong gas smell, so concerned shop workers reported it to emergency services as a precaution.
Within minutes it had been passed on to fire crews who evacuated the shop while they tried to find the source of the stink.
Police, firefighters and staff from Wales and West Utilities were on the scene.
Nearby businesses were also asked to evacuate, including Cash Converters, Burger King and Betfred.
Dozens of people gathered outside the cordons until the public and shop employees were allowed back into the area at around 5pm.
Kam Singh, who helps run the Premier Stores where the alarm was first raised said: "Every customer who was coming were saying they could smell gas.
"We rang the gas board and they said they would be here in an hour, and as soon as the fire brigade arrived they told everyone to get out.
"We have smelt the fruit before, but the shop had a big delivery of them today which made everyone concerned that there might be a leak."
Scott Withey, store manager at Cash Converters said: "I was watching what was going on and saw them cordon off Premier Stores.
"I went over to the firefighters and asked them what I should do with having customers and staff inside the store.
"They told us to come out as they were going to widen the cordon.
"I was concerned – if it was a gas leak I would want everybody to be out and safe."
