Gas leak spurs Turangi evacuation

A leaking LPG tank in Turangi forced emergency services to close streets and evacuate a service station, Burger King and backpackers last night.

Staff at the BP on State Highway 1 heard loud hissing noises coming from the pumps about 8.30pm.

Appliances from Turangi and Taupo and a hazardous materials unit from Rotorua rushed to the scene.

Taupo station manager Graeme Trainor said fire fighters could smell and hear the leak but there was a complex network of piping which made things difficult.

He said the leak was found at about 11.30pm and isolated. "It all ended well," Mr Trainor said.

- NZHERALD STAFF