Christchurch school evacuated due to nearby gas leak

Hagley College in Christchurch has been evacuated due to a digger damaging an oxygen pipe near the school.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said it initially received reports of smoke coming from a building about 10am, but this was then found to be gas coming from a damaged oxygen pipe.

A cordon has been put up at the corner of St Asaph Street and Hagley Avenue, and police, FENZ, and council staff are on site.

A spokesperson for FENZ said Hagley College, on Hagley Avenue was evacuated as a precaution.

The spokesperson said the gas leak was understood to have been stopped, but the incident was ongoing.