Asbestos risk in Christchurch fire

Christchurch City Council will today investigate possible health concerns from asbestos after a fire in a large warehouse last night.

Firefighters contained the large fire the fire at Wicked Campers, on Allen Street in central Christchurch last night but are now concerned the roof contains asbestos.

Fire Service shift manager Karl Patterson said that due precautions were being taken to determine whether there was asbestos in the building.

"Council will be attending to carry out investigations and Fire Safety will be involved today as well, I imagine," Mr Patterson said.

People were warned to stay away because of the potential asbestos danger. Several central Christchurch streets including Moorhouse Avenue, St Asaph Street and Manchester St were closed as a result of the fire but were later reopened.

There were no injuries reported and Allen St is now open.

Christchurch City Council said they would put out a warning if it found there was a health concern over a wider area.

- NZPA