Cordons have been lifted around a Timaru building that sparked evacuations this morning over fears of a fire and chemical spill.
Following discussions with the Fire Service, Canterbury Police said they were reducing the cordons to a block radius around the Chrome Platers building. "There are no domestic dwellings in
the area affected by the reduced cordon and the evacuation point at The Trinity Church will be closed in due course," police said.
Evacuated residents were being allowed to return to their homes.
Around seven fire trucks and 40 firefighters were at the scene working to control the fire earlier today. The building backs onto the main railway line running through the town, close to the port.
The Fire Service was investigating the cause of the fire but had advised police the blaze was not thought to be suspicious.
