Contractors work to repair damaged pipe valve that caused ammonia leak in Dannevirke
A damaged pipe valve is believed to have caused ammonia to leak out into a storage area in Dannevirke.
Emergency services were called to the incident at the Oringi Business Park complex at about 8.20am this morning.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hawke's Bay District Manager Ken Cooper says the owners followed the correct procedures, shut down the system and called 111 - moves which ultimately prevented a "significant leak" of ammonia.
As the incident was upgraded to "second alarm HAZMAT", crews from Dannevirke, Woodville, Napier and Palmerston North responded with specialist equipment.
"We made entry into the building with our chemical suits and we isolated the valve and ventilated the property so the contractors can enter to repair this damaged valve," Cooper says.
"There is no immediate threat to anybody in the community or surrounding area."
FENZ will remain on site while contractors carry out repairs and the damaged valve is replaced, which they expect will be complete by the end of the day.
