A central Dunedin hotel was evacuated for hours after “toxic” gas was detected in the basement of the building. 

Emergency services were called to the Scenic Hotel Dunedin City in Princes St just before 3pm on Monday and were on site until about 8pm.

Firefighters had to wear protective suits. Photo: Photo Peter Mcintosh

Part of Princes and Dowling Sts were closed off for a number of hours.

Fire and Emergency NZ Senior Station Officer Mark Leonard said a potential fault with a transformer created a “toxic” gas and the building was evacuated as a precaution.

Fire crews were called to the Princes St hotel just before 3pm. Photo: Peter Mcintosh

Firefighters in protective suits investigated the source of the gas.

Mr Leonard could not say what the gas was, but it was “potentially hazardous”, and a poisons centre in Australia had been contacted.

Part of Princes St and Dowling St were cordoned off on Monday afternoon. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Crews from St Kilda, Lookout Point, Roslyn, Dunedin and Willowbank attended.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman later said firefighters had taken air samples, and a power company had inspected the site.

By 8pm, they determined there was no danger and the building was handed back to the property owner.

 

- Additional reporting by Allied Media