Whangarei port evacuated after ammonia leak

File photo / NZ Herald

An ammonia leak has caused the evacuation of a Whangarei port.

The fire service was called to Northport at Whangarei Harbour just after 5pm today, northern fire communications shift manager Jarron Philips said.

Crews were called after workers detected a strong smell of ammonia in the coolstores.

Five fire appliances responded to the call, but that was likely to be escalated, Mr Philips said.

"Two firefighters have donned encapsulated gas suits in an attempt to isolate the leak."

The area has been cordoned off and police were helping with evacuations, he said.

There were no reports of injuries.