Caustic soda spill closes road

Two 1000-litre containers of caustic soda which fell off a truck near Norsewood late yesterday closed State Highway 2 overnight.

Fire Service staff were called to the spill in the Butchers Creek area between Norsewood and Waipukurau in southern Hawke's Bay at 11pm yesterday.

"Two 1000 litre containers of caustic soda have fallen from a truck, and are covering an area of 1km north of Norsewood," David Meikle at the Fire Service said.

Up to seven people, who had come across the spill and stopped to see if they could help, were treated at the scene by ambulance staff for burns to their hands and breathing difficulties, he said.

State Highway 2 was closed shortly after 11.30pm and remained shut overnight, with Fire Service staff waiting until daylight to assess the situation.

Transit New Zealand said today that a single lane was reopened at 11.30am but the road was not expected to be fully open until after 2.30pm.

Local appliances and a specialist hazardous chemicals unit from Hastings were attending the spill. Because it was in a rural area, no houses had needed evacuating.

"We don't believe any of the spill has got into any of the natural water courses, but it could have an impact on the environment if it did," Mr Meikle said.

Inspector Malcolm Schwartfeger of police central communications said diversions had been put in place at Whenuahou Road and Kopua Road. It was not known for how long the road would be closed.

- NZPA