Chemical mix leads to emergency call-out and road closure

Emergency services attended the call-out on Monday evening.

A mix of chemicals led to the closure of a section of State Highway 3 on Monday evening.

The section of road between the two roundabouts on Broadway, Stratford, was closed for about four hours and traffic was diverted.

Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief officer Kevan Old says Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to the scene at 4.53pm that evening.

Police, a St John ambulance and crews from Stratford, Toko, Eltham, and New Plymouth volunteer fire brigades attended the call-out.

Kevan says the fire crews had to call Australia to work out how to deal with the chemical mix.

"It was a slow process, but an amazing effort by all."

Kevan says the mixture of chemicals caused a reaction, resulting in the road closure.

"An occupant of a building on the main street had poured 4 litres of drain cleaner down their sink and shower in an attempt to clear their drain. That didn't work so they called a plumber who used his own chemical cleaner. The mix of chemicals resulted in a boilover, which the plumber inhaled. He was treated at the scene."

He says the New Plymouth hazmat unit was notified.

"The hazmat unit arrived in their level-four gas suits as that was the appropriate way to deal with the situation."

The road was reopened at 8.45pm that evening.

Kevan says the Taranaki Regional Council was at the scene and Stratford District Council was notified.

Taranaki Regional Council compliance manage Bruce Pope says Taranaki Regional Council was notified of the incident and an officer attended.

"The contaminant discharged into Stratford District Council's waste water system is to be contained and processed within SDC's waste water treatment plant. There was no discharge to stormwater and no impact on the environment. The Tatanaki Regional Council will take no further action."

Stratford District Council chief executive Sven Hanne says council was notified as the drain being cleared connects to council's wastewater infrastructure.

"Given the type and volume of chemical used it is unlikely to have had a material impact on our infrastructure or the function of our oxidation ponds."