Footage shows smoke billowing from a Merseyside post office after a fogging machine was triggered moments after staff were faced with a ranting customer.
The eye-catching scenes took place at Hunts Cross post office in Speke Road this morning.
Police were called after the fogging machine, often used to deter criminals during robberies, was activated shortly before 9.30am.
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A Merseyside Police spokesman said the flashpoint was an unhappy customer who started shouting at staff.
It is thought that in the face of his outburst a staff member activated a personal alarm which is thought to have then triggered the fogging machine.
Police spoke with the man outside as well as interviewing staff who police say did not want to take the matter further.
The man was told not to return to the post office.
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A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We attended just before 9.30am to reports a personal alarm had been activated and that alarm has activated a fogging machine after a man had started shouting at staff. At which point he left.
"The staff did not wish to make a formal complaint and the individual told not to return to the store."
