8 Jun 2011

Central Auckland gas leak contained

10:00 am on 8 June 2011

A gas leak near Auckland's Viaduct Basin which forced buildings to be evacuated has been contained, the Fire Service says.

The Fire Service evacuated people from an area within Beaumont, Jellicoe, Madden and Halsey Streets after the leak was reported shortly after 8am.

Energy company Vector says a contractor ruptured one of its commercial pipes, but the problem has now been isolated.

Fire Service staff were checking surrounding gas levels to ensure the area was safe before letting people back into buildings.

Over the weekend, a methane explosion at a water-mains site in Onehunga killed a 48-year-old Canadian engineer and injured six others.