Police in Whangarei have confirmed there is a risk of explosion and are appealing to the public to avoid the Kamo CBD area after a bus hit the gas mains at Z Service Station on Kamo Road.
The incident occurred about 7.30am this morning. Cordons are being put in place
at Station Road and the intersection of Clark and Kamo Roads.
Police are continuing to evacuate nearby residents and divert traffic, including school buses, which were beginning to arrive to the area's three schools, Kamo High School and Kamo Intermediate School, Kamo Primary School, which will be closed.
Fire Service and police are in attendance at the scene and are maintaining a 600 metre cordon around the service station.
One witness told the Northern Advocate that they saw a driver step out of a bus before the bus rolled across the road and crash into a gas mains at the Z service station.
Further details on evacuation and cordons will be released as information comes to light.
