Five people are suffering injuries after 1000 litres of nitric acid spilled in Christchurch.
Emergency services were called to Baigent Way in the suburb of Middleton at about 12:35pm on Wednesday.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson told Newshub three crews and a command unit were at the scene.
"Working with police, a cordon was put up around the area. The cordon is still currently in place," they said around 3pm.
"The spill is now contained. We currently have 25 personnel in attendance, who are working to clean up the remainder of the spill."
The spokesperson said they are cleaning up the chemical with a neutralising agent and expect it to take the rest of the day.
A nearby building was also evacuated on Wednesday afternoon as a precaution.
St John was called and two ambulances treated the five patients at the scene.
All suffered minor injuries and none were taken to hospital.
