About 300 litres of diesel leaked from a tank in Green Island yesterday before it was contained.
The Otago Regional Council says it is investigating the incident.
Fire appliances were called to reports of a diesel spill at an address in Main South Rd, Green Island, about 11.14am.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Dunedin Central Senior Station Officer Rob Torrance said the 1500 litre diesel tank had malfunctioned and overflowed , spilling about 300 litres of fuel.
Two firefighters were covered in diesel as they tried to stop the leak before the power was turned off, he said.
Decontamination of the two firefighters was carried out, including giving them a decontamination shower, and the pair were checked over by St John staff for possible side effects but did not require further treatment or transport.
Fenz crew, assisted by Otago Regional Council staff, bunded the area and spread grit to prevent the diesel from spreading into the nearby Kaikorai Creek.
ORC compliance manager Tami Sargeant said the council’s
investigations team would look into the cause of the spill.
"We cannot comment further until that investigation is complete."
