Deadly chemical leak in New Plymouth; evacuations

DEVELOPING​ NEWS: All residents and buisness on Colson Rd in New Plymouth have been evacuated following a 'big' deadly chemical spill thats 'highly flamable' at the Kiwi Rail Freight Centre this evening.

Police have strongly urged all residents to leave urgently 'and thats what got me scared' said a New Plymouth resident.

Many vehicles on Colsen Road have been stopped and turned around.

Firefighters, police and hazardours material team are at the scene, they have put foam all over the chemical to stop the spill from spreading.

A witness said police had blocked off Colson Rd up to the Smart Rd intersection and were turning people away.

"30 cars have been turned away and over 40 people have been evacuated" she said.

SPCA spokeswoman Jackie Poles Smith said she had only been at work a short time when police arrived and told her and everyone else in the building to get out.

"I'd only been at work 10-15 minutes and there were fire engines arriving when I got there," she said.

Ms Poles-Smith said she had been told the chemical was a gas that was very dangerous.
"I could smell it and taste it, I can still tastes it. It has a metallic taste."

Sergeant Pat Duffy said he had been told the chemical was highly toxic and potentially life threatening.

Business have been told to go home for the day and residents have been told it will be at least two hours before an update will be ready.

"If they have somewhere else to go it would be a good idea," Mr Duffy said.

Deb Black, who works at Taranaki Paving, said she could smell a chemical smell that was quite acidic and police had told her quite strongly to get out.

This is breaking news, more to follow..