A worker was washed by fire hoses in Dunedin's industrial area this morning following a reported explosion at a company which handles waste for healthcare facilities and "biosecurity risks". A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said they received a report of a boiler exploding and a gas leak at the Dunedin branch of Interwaste in Ward St. He confirmed one person had been decontaminated after getting ‘‘debris’’ on them, believed to be medical waste. Ward St has been closed. Interwaste handles waste for healthcare facilities and "biosecurity risks".

Source: Otago Daily Times January 08, 2026 23:18 UTC