Gas leak near school repaired

Pupils at Tikipunga High School in Whangarei had to move to the far side of their school after leaking gas was discovered at a nearby service station this morning.

Police said there was a serious gas leak at the Mobil Service Station, on the corner of Kiripaka Road and Corks Road on the northern boundary of the city.

Pupils at the nearby school were moved to the far side of their grounds as a precaution and houses near the service station were evacuated.

Roads were closed and police said people should avoid driving through the area.

About half an hour later police said the leak had been repaired and people were being allowed back into their homes.

Firefighters were checking surrounding areas for pockets of gas and as they cleared homes they were allowing people to return.

The leak is understood to have been from a liquid petroleum gas facility at the service station.

- NZPA