A South Carolina police officer has been arrested after allegedly pulling a firearm on a colleague during an argument reportedly sparked by somebody heating fish in the office microwave.

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Yes, really.

Former Myrtle Beach police detective Michael Debiase, 46, is facing a felony charge after authorities say a bizarre confrontation inside the police department escalated dramatically over the smell of microwaved fish, ABC News reports.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the incident happened inside a briefing room at the Myrtle Beach Police Department on Saturday.

Investigators allege another officer had been warming up fish in the microwave, with the smell apparently causing tension inside the office.

However, things allegedly escalated far beyond workplace complaints and a trip to HR.

An arrest warrant states Debiase confronted the officer over “warming up fish in the microwave, causing an odor in the office.”

During the confrontation, authorities say Debiase allegedly “drew and pointed his department-issued handgun” at the other officer, who has not been publicly identified.

Following the alleged confrontation, the Myrtle Beach Police Department immediately placed Debiase on administrative leave while both the department’s Office of Professional Standards and SLED launched investigations into what happened.

The fallout came quickly.

Police later confirmed Debiase was no longer employed by the department after investigators identified what officials described as multiple policy violations.

In a public statement, Myrtle Beach Police Department said: “Our employees are entrusted with significant responsibility, and with that comes an expectation of professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and respect for others.”

The department also attempted to distance itself from the incident entirely.

“This incident does not reflect the values demonstrated by the men and women of the Myrtle Beach Police Department every day,” the statement read.

“However, it does demonstrate our commitment to accountability and our willingness to address conduct that falls short of our expectations.”

Debiase was arrested Tuesday and charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person — an offence which is illegal under South Carolina law regardless of whether the weapon is loaded or unloaded.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the handgun involved in the incident was loaded at the time.

After his arrest, Debiase was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County.

Court records show his bond was set at $5,000 during a hearing on Tuesday.

His next scheduled court appearance is reportedly set for August 14.

Featured image credit: J. Reuben Long Detention Center/Pexels/Alexander F Ungerer (free to use)