Buildings and streets evacuated after chemical spill in Gore
Monday 28 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Emergency services responded to a 1000-litre chemical spill at Mainfreight Transport on Oldham Street in Gore on Sunday afternoon. A pierced container caused the spill, leading to the evacuation of nearby businesses and road closures as precaution. No injuries have been reported while fire crews work to clean up the site.
Key facts
3 facts
- The incident began around 2.05pm after a container was pierced
- Oldham Street and Gorton Street were closed to the public
- No injuries were reported during the incident
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The spill occurred around 2.05pm after a large container was pierced, causing the contents to spill onto the ground.
Police closed Oldham Street and Gorton Street, and nearby businesses were evacuated as a precaution. Fire and Emergency NZ deployed two crews from Gore, a Hazmat unit, and a specialist vehicle from Invercargill. Other reports indicate five fire crews were involved in the effort to dilute and neutralise the substance.
A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency NZ stated, "There is no danger to people, but businesses in the area were evacuated". While the specific chemical was not identified, officials noted the liquid was caustic.
As of the evening, crews were approximately three-quarters of the way through the dilution process. There were no reports of injuries following the incident.
Where reports differ
- One report states five fire crews were working on the cleanup, while another specifies two Gore crews plus a Hazmat unit and specialist vehicle from Invercargill
Compiled from reports by 1News and NZ Herald.