Napier Port chemical leak under control

Napier Port was closed after the spill was discovered and the fire service was called in to decontaminate the scene. Photo / Lynda Forrest

A chemical leak which closed part of Napier Port earlier today has now been contained.

Inspectors found a small amount of sodium hydroxide, a corrosive and potentially flammable chemical, on the outside of four containers unloaded from a ship this morning.

The port was closed after the spill was discovered and the fire service was called in to decontaminate the scene.

Three fire trucks, along with a combined hazardous materials unit and command centre were sent to the port at 8.20am.

Fire Service spokesman Mike Wanoa said there was no danger to the public because a secure area of the port was blocked off.

Fire crews had decontaminated the area by 3pm, isolating the four containers and repairing a fifth container - believed to be the source of the leak. The source container remained cordoned off.

The Fire Service told staff the port was safe and no personnel or members of the public were at risk, a Napier Port spokeswoman said.

No marine animals were harmed by the spill because it happened away from the harbour, she said.

The port was operating as normal outside the exclusion zone.