One person has died and seven people – including five police officers – are being treated in hospital after a gas leak at a restaurant in Sydney’s north-west.
New South Wales ambulance said the people who had been taken to hospital were all in a stable condition.
Emergency services responded to reports of a gas leak at the Indian restaurant Haveli, which is on the corner of Garfield Road and Railway Terrace in Riverstone, just after 9am on Tuesday morning.
A map showing Riverstone’s locationA gas leak at a restaurant in Riverstone in Sydney’s north-west left one person dead
A Fire and Rescue NSW superintendent, Adam Drewberry, said they were yet to determine the cause of the leak.
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“At this stage, carbon monoxide is a strong line of interest,” he told reporters. “We’re also looking for other gases that could be in and around. It’s too early to speculate what else could be in there.
“The air quality in the whole building, two levels, has been compromised.
“Hazmat crews are going through with various detection equipment to determine what the product is and how we can render it safe.”
He couldn’t say how long it was expected to take, saying: “We’ll just work here until we’re satisfied that the area is rendered safe and contained, stable.”
“Police have already started their investigations. They are on scene, and they’re also collecting the information.”
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NSW Ambulance said two people had been taken to Hawkesbury district hospital, three to Blacktown hospital and two to Mount Druitt hospital.
Haveli has restaurants in two locations, including Riverstone and Stanhope Gardens.