A shipping container is "hanging in a perilous position" above large LPG containers at a rail yard in Christchurch, with nearby properties evacuated as a precaution while fire crews and police manage the explosion risk.
Five fire crews and a hazard unit are at the KiwiRail site on Matipo Street in Riccarton as two cranes try to stabilise and reposition the container sitting incorrectly on a stack, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson told 1 NEWS.
The first two fire crews arrived at 8:40am today, and other crews are on standby as a precaution.
Fire crews first received a report of the container shortly after 8:30am.
Police have asked people to avoid the street between Princess Street and Wrights Road.
SHARE ME