KEY POINTS:
Homes and a factory on the outskirts of Hastings were evacuated this morning after an ammonia leak.
Police spokeswoman Kris McGehan said the leak was coming from Cedenco Foods in Whakatu.
She said houses in a 300m radius of the factory had been evacuated.
"Residents in the greater Whakatu area have been told to stay inside their homes," Ms McGehan said earlier this morning.
Senior Station Officer Bruno Saathof said fire fighters found 10kg of ammonia leaking through a faulty release valve.
He said the ammonia had been blown away by a steady westerly breeze.
Mr Saathof said ammonia could effect people with respiratory problems like asthma and a high concentration could be fatal.
St John Ambulance district operations manager Stephen Smith said ambulance staff did not need to treat anyone.
He believed some people could have attended private health clinics for medical attention but no one had been taken to hospital.
- NZHERALD STAFF
