Residents evacuated after unknown chemical enters drains in New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand: Residents in the northern New Zealand town of Tuakau were evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a large amount of an unknown chemical entered drains near a water treatment plant, authorities said.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said in a statement that firefighters were called to the incident at about 4pm local time in Tuakau, a town in the Waikato District, about 60 km south of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.

Residents have been evacuated from houses in some affected streets, while others in the area were advised to remain indoors "with doors and windows closed to avoid possible exposure to fumes," the statement said. Other members of the public were urged to stay away from the area until further notice.

FENZ said it had sought specialist advice from Australia's Queensland Fire Department to help identify the substance and was working with the Waikato District Council and Watercare on a plan to safely flush the drains.

The nature and origin of the chemical remain unknown, FENZ said