Photo: Toni McDonaldA Southland meatworks has been evacuated due to elevated levels of a toxic gas after a fire this morning. The gas is highly toxic, flammable and has a rotten-egg odour. The plant was filled with smoke and all people were evacuated and accounted for. In total, six trucks responded as well as a tanker and a Hazmat command unit. The fire was contained by about 7am but the spokesman could not advise what the specific cause of the fire was.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 07, 2026 23:24 UTC