Smelly parcel scares off staff in Cairns

It was a stinky start to the day for Cairns emergency services when a Korean care package of rotting food brought business at a block of Sheridan St shops to a standstill.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to a suspected gas leak at a shopping complex just after 8.30am with staff at the Australia Post store concerned about a leak after being overwhelmed by the smell of something resembling a "dead rat".

But the culprit turned out to be far less deadly, although just as toxic, when a 4kg box of rotting Korean food was discovered by the fire brigade after an hour-long search of the building.

"It was a strange smell," Australia Post mail sorter Ann Debouter said.

"As each employee came in they were aware of a strong smell and then the lady from the newsagent came in concerned and asked if there was a dead rat."

When the search for the rotting rodent turned up nothing, concerns grew it may have been gas and a staff member called 000.

Cairns fire station officer David Lawson led his team into the building, atmospheric testing devices in one hand, breathing apparatus on their backs.

"There was nothing flammable and there was no reading on the atmospheric testers," he said.

"After we’d searched the block we went back in just to have a look a round and that’s when we found a box full of rotten food.

"We took it outside and opened it up and had a look.

"There was Korean writing all over it. It was rank."

Staff from Australia Post, along with those from neighbouring stores had all been evacuated during the search, but were allowed to return to their offices about 9.30am.