Wharewaka residents evacuated

Firefighters on the scne of a gas leak. PHOTO: DAN HUTCHINSON

Residents of Harakeke Drive, Wharewaka, Taupō, and surrounding areas were asked to evacuate due to a gas leak today. They can now return home.

A Police spokesperson says they were called to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand at about 12.10pm on Friday, after a digger hit a gas line.

“Residents of Wharewaka Road and Lake Terrace are also being evacuated.

“The public is advised to avoid the area.”

By 2.26pm, Police advised people were able to return to their homes.

A Kohia Place resident who just wanted be know by his first name Ian says the there was a “very strong smell of gas, which permeated through the house.

“We thought it was our place at first, but then we saw emergency services arrive and they've taken the appropriate action.

“They went door-to-door and evacuated everybody, and there wasn't many people home.”

Residents of harekek Drive were still walking about but the road had been closed to traffic near Kohia Place.