YOUR AD HERE »

Super spicy Thai chili sauce sparks road closures, evacuations in central London

RAPHAEL G. SATTER
Associated Press Writer
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

LONDON ” Super spicy chili sauce sparked road closures and evacuations in central London after passers-by complained that a chemical emanating from a Thai restaurant was burning their throats, police said Wednesday.

Reports of a strong smell wafting from a restaurant in the heart of London’s bustling Soho district Monday prompted the London Fire Brigade to send a chemical response team, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

Firefighters closed off roads, sealed buildings and donned special breathing masks to ferret out the source of the acrid smell as onlookers coughed, the Times of London reported.



Smashing down the door of the suspected source ” the Thai Cottage restaurant ” they seized the culprit: extra-hot bird’s eye chilies that had been left dry-frying.

They were being prepared for a batch of “nam prik pao,” a spicy Thai sauce, restaurant owner Sue Wasboonma said.



“The smoke didn’t go up into the sky because of the rain and the heavy air,” she told the Times. “It’s the hottest thing we make.”

No one was arrested, the police spokesman said, declining to give his name in line with force policy. “As far as I’m aware, it’s not a criminal offense to cook very strong chili.”


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.