Sewer gas smell mistaken for LPG leak forces early-morning evacuations near Blenheim

NZ Herald

4 Aug, 2026 06:49 PMQuick Read

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People were evacuated from premises on Sheffield St near Blenheim early this morning and the road closed after a suspected gas leak. File photo / NZME

A suspected gas leak which forced evacuations south of Blenheim early this morning was thought to be LPG – but turned out to be sewer gas.

An unknown number of people had to leave their homes and workplaces as a precaution after the suspected leak was reported at commercial
premises on Sheffield St, in Riverlands, around 4am.

Fire and Emergency southern shift manager Alex Norris said the response was quickly scaled up due to the risk involved at the commercial site, with crews from Nelson, Blenheim, Seddon and Renwick tasked to the job.

However, firefighters were “very quickly” stood down after it was determined the smell was from sewer gas, which had been mistaken for LPG.

Police were notified of the incident around 4.25am, and had helped fire crews with evacuations, a spokesperson said. Just before 6am, those who were evacuated were able to return and the road was reopened.