Hundreds of Otago Uni students evacuated due to smell of gas from Dunedin construction site

Hundreds of staff and students were evacuated from University of Otago buildings in Dunedin following a suspected gas leak.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand area commander Bailey Wells said emergency services received a call at 12.20pm, reporting a strong smell of href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/oil-gas/" target="_self">gas in the Great King St area.

Police block off parts of nearby roads while emergency crews responded to the leak. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Six fire trucks and two Genesis Energy responders were on the scene to determine the source of the smell.

Crews responded from Roslyn, St Kilda, Lookout Point, Mosgiel and Ravensbourne.

A University of Otago spokesperson said several University of Otago buildings on the south of the Dunedin campus were evacuated about 12.40pm today following the suspected leak.

The University’s Campus Watch and operations teams assisted emergency services, they said.

“As a precaution, buildings in the health sciences’ precinct - the Adams, Hercus, Scott, Lindo Ferguson, and Dental School buildings, were evacuated.”

“This involved hundreds of staff and students.”

They said all university buildings have since been cleared and re-occupied.

Wells said crews made good progress and people were cleared to re-enter from around 1.45pm.

University of Otago students and staff wait outside the Hercus and Lindo Ferguson buildings after being evacuated. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Outside the Hercus and Lindo Ferguson buildings, hundreds of students and staff waited to return following the evacuation.

A University of Otago student told the Herald they had been in a lecture when the evacuation order was given due to the strong smell of gas.

Part of Hanover St was blocked, with police stationed at intersections to manage traffic.

Wells said the gas smell was discovered to originate from a nearby construction site, and there was no threat.

Crews departed the scene at 2.15pm.

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