Fermented fish triggers gas leak alarm

Emergency services rushed to a suburb of Stockholm after reports of a gas leak - only to find a bucket of fermented herring.

Two fire engines, two police cars and an emergency gas leak team all rushed to the investigate the reports in Sodermalm, reports The Local.

They had been alerted by concerned neighbours who thought they smelled gas in the stairwell, but it turned out to be something less dangerous.

The strong smell came from fermented herring, or surstromming, a notoriously foul-smelling Swedish delicacy traditionally served at autumn parties.

"I guess somebody didn't know what surstromming smells like," said Sven-Erik Olsson from the police's command centre.