The maker of Sriracha hot sauce is under fire for allegedly fouling the air around its Southern California factory.

According to the Associated Press, the city of Irwindale filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday against Huy Fong Foods, calling the smell a "public nuisance." Residents have reportedly had to flee their homes to escape the stench and others have dealt more severe symptoms like burning eyes, irritated throats, and headaches.

One family was forced to move a birthday party indoors after the strong smell overwhelmed the festivity, Irwindale City Attorney Fred Galante told the Los Angeles Times.

The city and Huy Fong attempted to settle the issue without legal action, however that plan broke down after company representatives denied there was an order issue and said their employees work in the environment and have never complained of an odor issue. 

The city, which is about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, is seeking temporary closure of the factory until Huy Fong submits a plan to minimize the smell.

"If they fix it and the odor problems stop, we don't need this order; but so far the odor complaints continue," Galante said.

Huy Fong's green-capped chili bottles are hugely popular and are a fixture at restaurants around the world. The first Sriracha Festival held in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend drew hundreds of fans. 

The company had operated out of two buildings in nearby Rosemead since the late 1980s until it opened large factory in Irwindale this year.