AN ABANDONED Portuguese tanker caused chaos in South Oxhey on Saturday.
Residents of Hayling Road alerted police to the illegally parked vehicle soon after 7pm, less than an hour after Portugal's victory over England in the World Cup.
Onlookers saw a bucket with green fluid in it beneath the tanker, which contained hydrochloric acid, and fire crews were called.
The surrounding roads were closed off and local residents were told not to leave their homes, for fear they may suffer toxic poisoning.
Rick Hardy lives in Hayling Road. He said: "We were told to go inside and close all the windows so that we didn't inhale any toxic fumes.
"Four fire engines and about nine policemen were on the scene. I pointed out to them it was a Portuguese vehicle - I assume the driver had decided to sneak off and watch the footie, not realising he had parked illegally and caused all that trouble.
"The tanker was still there after dark when he finally returned.
"It all made for a very strange day."
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