CANBERRA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Around 550 people were evacuated from a library here in Australia after the smell of durian triggered fears of a gas leak, local media reported.
Firefighters were called to the University of Canberra's library on Friday afternoon after reports of a strong smell of gas, the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency said.
After searching the building, firefighters located the source of the smell. "The lingering gas-like smell in the building is completely safe -- someone left a durian fruit in one of our bins!" the university library said on Facebook.
The library was soon reopened after the durian was removed from the building in a sealed bag and atmospheric testing was conducted. It added the university used to have rules against food but abolished them as many would still sneak it in.
Originally found in Indonesia, the durian is known for its distinctive smell that evokes reactions from deep affection to intense disgust. It is banned from public transport and hotels in some Asian countries.
"Its odor is best described as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away," said Richard Sterling, a travel and food writer.
The incident is the second such false alarm reported in Australia in around a year. In April 2018, rotting durian caused hundreds to evacuate from a library in Melbourne's city center.
