Firefighters in the German city of Wiesbaden found themselves grappling with an unusual culprit on October 4, as they were summoned three times in a single day over suspected gas leaks—only to discover that the potent smell of durians was to blame.
The first incident occurred in the afternoon when shoppers at a local shopping centre raised the alarm, reporting a strong gas-like odour. Firefighters promptly arrived, conducted thorough inspections, and found no evidence of a gas leak, leaving the source of the smell a mystery, according to German media reports.
Hours later, the fire brigade was called back to the same area following similar complaints. This time, their search led them to an Asian supermarket within the shopping centre, where the unmistakable scent of durians—a fruit notorious for its pungent aroma—was identified as the cause.
State-owned broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported on October 5 that the shopping centre’s ventilation system likely amplified the durian’s distinctive smell, spreading it throughout the building and sparking confusion among visitors.
The day’s challenges didn’t end there. That evening, firefighters were dispatched to an apartment building after residents reported a gas-like smell emanating from a staircase. Once again, the source was traced back to durians, bringing an unusual close to a day of mistaken alarms.
The incidents highlight the durian’s infamous reputation, often described as a delicacy with a smell so overpowering it can be mistaken for something far more hazardous. For Wiesbaden’s firefighters, it was a reminder that not every emergency call is quite what it seems.
