Fire crews and hazmat unit respond to petrol smell at Ponsonby Woolworths supermarket carpark

Fire crews responded to a strong smell of petrol at the Woolworths Ponsonby supermarket in Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn. Photo / Oliver Rusden

A central Auckland carpark has been cleared as a fire and emergency hazmat unit has responded to a strong smell of petrol at a supermarket.

One witness said Woolworths Ponsonby “reeked of petrol”, similar to a petrol station but stronger.

The witness said shoppers were kept informed about the situation over the supermarket’s intercom, and staff had closed the automatic doors leading to the carpark while firefighters surveyed the area at the store on Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn.

A queue had formed at the base of the escalator down to the carpark at the store, but “everyone seemed quite relaxed”, the witness said.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said crews were called out to a strong smell of petrol in a carpark in Grey Lynn.

Shoppers were seen waiting outside the Woolworths carpark. Photo / Oliver Rusden

They said the smell came from an overfilled vehicle, which has now been removed from the site.

Two fire trucks responded to the incident alongside a hazmat unit.

The spokesperson said the basement level of the carpark has been closed for ventilation.