Emergency response, evacuations after petrol scooter left running in central Auckland building

Emergency services respond to reports of a chemical spill on Anzac Ave, central Auckland on Friday night. Photo / Benjamin Plummer

The source of a smell that saw a six-storey central Auckland building evacuated has been revealed as a petrol scooter running inside the building.

About 20 firefighters, including the specialist hazmat unit, were called to the corner of Anzac Ave and Short St about 4.45pm over what was initially reported as a chemical spill.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said crew were being stood down at 7pm after the source of the smell was discovered.

The building was still being ventilated.

Eralier, cordons had been set up to stop people walking through the street as bystanders watch the sea of flashing red lights.

An enclosed black tent was erected in the middle of Anzac Ave outside the building and emergency services huddled around. Someone was seen walking through the cordon in a white hazmat suit.

A Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) spokeswoman said firefighters first thought they smelled petrol when they went inside the building.

The spokeswoman told NZME the building was being evacuated.

Auckland Transport said several bus routes were being detoured while Anzac Ave was closed.

Anzac Ave in Central Auckland is closed due to a potential hazardous material containment incident. Emergency services are on site.
Detours will be required for the following routes and will be provided by future updates:
27H, 27W, 70, 72X, 321, 931, 933 & 939 pic.twitter.com/QLuAdXgZlc

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) June 23, 2023