Tauranga shopping centre evacuated

Shoppers were evacuated from a central Tauranga shopping complex along Cameron Rd.

UPDATE 12.46pm: A truck carrying turpentine let off a strong smell of gas which resulted in an evacuation of a central Tauranga shopping complex.

Tauranga fire station officer Steve Wright said a waste removal truck carrying turpentine was removing oil from a drum at a closed down petrol station nearby.

"The strong smell of gas then moved through to the neighbouring shopping complex into Harvey Norman and Target Furniture." said Mr Wright.

Shaun Jameson, manager of Target Furniture smelt a strong smell of gas and alerted fire services about 12pm this afternoon.

The scene was cleared by fire services and people were allowed back into shops.

EARLIER: A strong smell of gas at a central Tauranga shopping centre has sparked an evacuation.

Firefighters were called to the Harvey Norman and Target furniture complex at 12.15pm following reports of the smell of gas, a northern fire communications spokesman said.

A reporter at the scene said people could be seen gathering outside the buildings as firefighters arrived to investigate.