Sawmill evacuated after chlorine gas leak

Staff at Carter Holt Harvey's Tasman Mill in Kawerau had to be evacuated this morning after a chlorine dioxide gas leak.

Roads around the mill were also closed after the leak was detected at 9.30am.

The all clear was given just after 11am and no injuries were reported, mill manager Jon Ryder said.

"Unfortunately the weather conditions this morning -- overcast and no wind -- were not conducive to the gas dissipating quickly."

Once the sun came out the gas had dissipated, Mr Ryder said. "No one was injured -- however, we are aware that a contractor visited the onsite medical centre as a precaution."

That person had been suffering from blurry vision but had been cleared of anything more serious, mill spokeswoman Robyn Orchard told NZPA.

Police were called to the incident and Mr Ryder said it would be fully investigated.

There had been no threat to the mill's surrounding community, he said.

- NZPA