Santosh Malhotra, 68, of Miramar, got the Diet Coke Saturday from an employee refrigerator in the back of the store at 2581 Hiatus Rd. in Cooper City.

When she took a swig from the 20-ounce bottle, her mouth and throat began to burn.

Preliminary tests on the soda showed high amounts of a potent alkali.

The chemicals had begun to melt the plastic bottle by the time emergency workers arrived, according to Lt. David Erdman of Broward Sheriff's Office Fire-Rescue. It was emitting heavy fumes, he said.

Scary.