A person dead, others in hospital after Sydney restaurant gas leak

Emergency services were called to Haveli Indian restaurant because of a gas leak. Photo / Getty Images

One person has died and several people have been rushed to hospital after a gas leak at a Sydney restaurant.

Emergency services were called to Haveli Indian restaurant on Garfield Rd at Riverstone at about 9.15am today.

Police confirmed one person had died.

Another member of the public and five police officers were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Authorities suspect it is a carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fire and Rescue New South Wales Superintendent Adam Dewberry said multiple people inside the restaurant had been “overcome by gas”.

“A number of these people appear to have been affected by carbon monoxide poisoning,” he said.

Dewberry said emergency services responded to reports that an unresponsive person was pulled from the building and could not be resuscitated.

He said firefighters wore breathing apparatuses and gas detectors to enter the building, and got a high reading for carbon monoxide.

“Our specialist hazardous material firefighters are there using a number of high-end detectors to go through the building and determine what the product is and where it is coming from so we can render the site safe,” Dewberry told Nine News.

“We have a number of fire trucks, police are on scene and paramedics are standing by.”

Haveli is a restaurant chain with venues in Riverstone and Stanhope Gardens, with its website saying it is “proud to bring you the authentic taste of Indian cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere”.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman confirmed doctors, paramedics, intensive care workers and a helicopter were sent to the scene.

Haveli is a restaurant chain with venues in Riverstone and Stanhope Gardens. Photo / Google Maps

The spokesman said two patients were taken to Hawkesbury Hospital, another two to Blacktown and two to Mount Druitt for observation.

“It is a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning,” the spokesman said.

Riverstone MP Warren Kirby said he was deeply saddened to learn of the tragedy.

“My thoughts are with the family of the person who has died and with everyone affected, including first responders and their loved ones,” he said.

“I’ve received advice that there is no ongoing risk to the wider community, with an exclusion zone established by Fire and Rescue (NSW) around the site.

“Investigations are under way to establish the source of the gas leak. I have also asked for immediate updates from NSW Health on the status of those hospitalised.

“Residents should follow any directions issued by emergency services. I will keep the community updated as more information comes to hand.”

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