Fire crews and hazmat unit respond to petrol smell at Ponsonby Woolworths supermarket carpark

NZ Herald

2 Apr, 2026 03:37 AMQuick Read

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Fire crews responded to a strong smell of petrol at the Woolworths Ponsonby supermarket in Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn. Photo / Oliver Rusden

A central Auckland carpark has been cleared as a fire and emergency hazmat unit has responded to a strong smell of petrol at a supermarket.

One witness said Woolworths Ponsonby “reeked of petrol”, similar to a petrol station but stronger.

The witness said shoppers were kept informed about the situation
over the supermarket’s intercom, and staff had closed the automatic doors leading to the carpark while firefighters surveyed the area at the store on Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn.

A queue had formed at the base of the escalator down to the carpark at the store, but “everyone seemed quite relaxed”, the witness said.