Three people hospitalised after chemical spill in Christchurch, New Zealand

A commercial building in Christchurch has been made safe after a chemical spill left three people in hospital, RNZ has reported.

Emergency services were called to a building in Coleridge Street in the suburb of Sydenham, in Christchurch, around 15:50 on Thursday 15 October.

Fire and emergency services said seven crews attended and firefighters had to rescue two people from the building. One person was reported to be in a critical condition and two others were in moderate conditions.

FENZ assistant district commander Michael Balmer said crews found a person unconscious, adding that the chemical involved was a liquid that gave off vapours.

The affected business recycles paints, cleaning and waste products, and other solvents, RNZ reported.