Two taken to hospital after acid spill

Two people have been taken to hospital after a hydrochloric acid spill in a warehouse this morning.

The spill happened at a Mainfreight warehouse in Whangarei this morning.

Mainfreight group managing director Don Braid said the two people were taken to hospital as a precaution.

St John communications team manager Murray Bannister confirmed two people were transported to hospital with moderate injuries. He said he was not able to confirm what those injuries were.

Mr Braid said a 20 litre container of hydrochloric acid was found to be leaking.

Mr Braid said the chemical was frequently moved around the country by the company in labelled, approved containers but he said he did not know why the container was leaking this morning.

He said that would be determined when "we can get in and see why the container was leaking and consult with the customer as to what the problem was".

Mr Braid said Mainfreight employees were trained to deal with dangerous chemicals.

Fire brigade shift commander Jaron Phillips said the spill was cleaned up by Mainfreight staff and was believed to be small.

He said the acid had been contained in a drum but the building would need to be well ventilated.

- NZHERALD STAFF