Attack of the Sauce!

London shoppers were shocked when they were enshrouded by acrid smoke in Soho.

Police cordoned off three streets and removed all people from the area, fearing a chemical attack.

A Hazardous Area Response Team Unit were sent into the deserted area to confront the source. They emerged hours later carrying a cooking pot full of smouldering chillies.

The Unit had discovered the pot in the Thai Cottage Restaurant, who had left the chillies dry-frying. They had been preparing them for the hot nam prik pao sauce.

Sue Wasboonma, the owner, said, 'The smoke didn't go up into the sky because of the rain and the heavy air.

A waitress from the restaurant said, 'Next time we might put some posters up to say we are cooking the dip.'