The premises where the gas leak with thought to have come from on the main Stratford street. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Firefighters have been forced to evacuate part of the main shopping area and library in the Taranaki town of Stratford due to a gas leak.
Deputy chief fire officer Kevan Old said the firefighters were unable to isolate the leak as the rupture was located below a shut-off valve.
Officers have therefore evacuated the area as gas was pumping out into the air with a westerly wind currently blowing.
He said the gas authority, who were needed to shut the gas off, were approximately 50 minutes away.
A reporter at the scene said there was a strong smell of gas and a loud hissing noise could be heard from nearby Prospero Place.
The building which appeared to be the source of the leak has a storefront on the Broadway stretch of State Highway 3 and was currently untenanted.
Firefighters were accessing the building via the back entrance which faced a service lane next to Prospero Place.
It was expected most of the nearby premises, such as the i-Site visitors' centre and library, could be reopened by 11am.
The multi-functional building includes a gallery, library and isite.