About 150 people were evacuated from a Hawthorn apartment building on Monday night after a strange odour set alarms ringing.
Firefighters investigated the possible source of the gas but later described the incident as a false alarm.
A smoke alarm alerted people to evacuate the building on Burwood Road after 5pm and residents waited on the street until they were given the all clear before 11pm.
"It turned out to be false alarm, an MFB spokesman said.
Hundreds of people have been evacuated out of a Hawthorn apartment after a strange smell was detected. #9News pic.twitter.com/4A2CDBNU7A
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) January 9, 2017