Text alert after gas leak at factory

Fire crews spent six hours attending to a large scale ammonia leak at a Taranaki factory, which required the site to be evacuated and emergency texts sent to residents to warn them about the danger.

Emergency services were dispatched to the Tegel Foods site on Bell Block’s Paraite Rd about 2.15am on Sunday after reports of the ammonia leak. Police assisted in the immediate evacuation of the area, including of seven employees who were working at the factory at the time.

About nine fire appliances, including support vehicles were at the scene. New Plymouth senior station officer Blake Marston described the leak as ‘‘very significant’’.

He said a firefighter and on-site engineer, wearing appropriate safety gear to combat against the effects of the hazardous substance, went into the factory to try and find the ammonia leak. After their investigation, the leak was isolated about 5.50am, Marston said.

He said police assisted fire in the management of the incident and sent texts, via an emergency alert system, to nearby residents.

The first text, sent about 4.35am, announced there had been a serious ammonia leak at the Tegel factory and advised residents to shut all doors and windows and stay inside. A further text just after 6am, advised the situation was under control.

Sergeant Shane Hurliman, of New Plymouth, said it was ‘‘fortunate’’ the leak happened in the early hours of the morning, as it made it easier for the incident to be managed by emergency services.

At this stage it was unclear how much ammonia had been lost from the plant or what had caused the leak. There were no reports of any injuries.