Leak causes emergency

A package in a cargo hold area of Auckland Airport which leaked less than a litre of a non-toxic substance triggered a full emergency services callout yesterday.

The Menzies Aviation building was cordoned off and firefighters in chemical protective suits entered an outside covered area to inspect a box on a cargo pallet.

A one-litre container inside was leaking the substance, described as a fatty acid.

The pallet came off a Thai Airways flight.

Mangere station officer Jeremy Gibbons said one person had breathing difficulties and was given oxygen at the scene.