Spill during crate wash

Staff at the Turners and Growers warehouse in Palmerston North were evacuated after a chemical spill yesterday. Emergency services were called to the warehouse on Mihaere Drive, Roslyn, about 6.30am, a police spokeswoman said. A hazmat response unit was at the warehouse to help deal with the spill. A company spokesman confirmed there was a sodium hypochlorite spill at the site, and said it occurred when packaging company Viscount FCC, which shares the site, was doing a crate wash. He said emergency services were alerted immediately. All staff were evacuated as a precaution but later returned to work. Nobody required medical treatment. Fire and Emergency New Zealand Manawatu¯ area commander Mitchell Brown said the spill was contained quickly.