Dropped dipstick 'caused petrol station explosion'

A dropped dipstick may have sparked an explosion in an underground petrol tank last night at the Caltex petrol station in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington.

Six fire appliances from Paraparaumu, Waikanae and the Hutt, along with a fire command unit, and ambulance and police personnel attended the 9.00pm incident, which led to State Highway 1 being closed and traffic diversions put in place.

Fire Service spokesman Toby Acheson said it appeared someone dropped a dipstick that measured tank levels into an underground tank, causing an explosion.

"Thankfully it doesn't look like the tank ruptured, but there was a problem with dangerous fumes coming form a pipe."

The tank was drained and the area was deemed safe just after midnight.

- NZPA