Staff and shoppers evacuated from Rangiora stores after suspected gas leak

Three people are at the hospital and staff and shoppers have been evacuated from a North Canterbury shopping center and nearby stores after reports of a gas leak this afternoon.

The incident occurred near Gables Arcade on High St in Rangiora.

Six people were treated at the scene and three people have been taken to Christchurch Hospital, one with moderate injuries and two with minor injuries.

Firefighters and Emergencies have visited the area twice, following reports of a strange smell.

They cleared all businesses in the building and sent specialists with gas detectors to find the source.

Police helped move people away from the nearby Gables Arcade, a police media spokesman said.

Among the evacuated stores was the Spark store on High St. in Rangiora.

A Spark spokeswoman said “some of our team members who felt unwell are seeking medical attention and our store will remain closed until the appropriate authorities deem the area safe for our people and our customers.”

A spokesman for St John’s media said they were called to the incident shortly after noon.

New Zealand Fire and Emergencies shift communications manager Andrew Norris said a team of firefighters had been to the store earlier in the day after being called in for a strange smell in the building, but were unable to locate nothing.

After St John told him this afternoon that more patients were being treated, a fire team has returned and searched the building, including checking the ceiling cavity for the source of the odor. A specialist unit from Christchurch was present, using a gas detection unit to try to identify the source.

Norris said the only possible source at this stage was some old batteries in the building.