there is no inside latch , I use bent nedle nose plyers to open is with a broken handle ,this is a common problem , the new handle is a new inproved one , so it will not happen again .
start cr drive short trip , then turn off open hood check for gas smell there you should smell it if so have it fixed right away , if gas smell was from rear you will not smell it when driving , are you sure its a gas smell seen many poeple think it gas and it not it a suffur smell from other cars .