Emergency services are investigating after a fuel pipe was vandalised, releasing diesel into a nearby stream in south Auckland this morning.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson told 1News a "gentleman" called emergency services after smelling fuel in the vicinity of the U-Go on Great South Rd.
Two Fire and Emergency trucks were sent from Papakura and Manurewa and, on arrival, found a fuel pipe that had been vandalised.
1News footage from the scene in Manurewa showed emergency services attending to a "vandalised" fuel pipe near the U-Go petrol station. (Source: 1News)
Fire and Emergency raised a second alarm to dispatch more trucks and a hazmat team to decant the leak which was spilling into water.
Firefighters were are also trying to get in touch with a representative from the fuel company.
1News footage from the scene showed firefighters cordoning off a bridge above a stream, as fuel seeped from the pipe.
'Some kind of sabotage'
FENZ Counties Manukau District Assistant Commander Chris Delfos said "on arrival, they found a pipe line which travels under a bridge on Great South Rd with diesel flowing through it".
"At this stage, we don't know where the line comes from, or where it's going to, so we're in the process of trying to stem the diesel flow and stop it going into the waterways," he said.
“At this stage it appears there has been some kind of sabotage to the pipeline, and we’re investigating that.”
Delfos said diesel was not as flammable as petrol, but it was still “very, very dangerous” to cut into any type of fuel line.
“I know things are tight in the fuel industry at the moment, and people are paying a lot of money,but it’s not worth your life – so don’t do it.”
He said crews were trying to capture the fuel that was still leaking and figure out where it was going to.
Asked how much fuel had leaked , Delfos said it was unclear as they were unsure when the line had been cut.
However, he said a telephone line had also been cut, which people were alerted to around 3am, which may be around the same time the fuel line was cut.
Delfos added: "There may be some minor environmental issues" in relation to the sabotage.
"Of course, it has been leaking into the river, but we’re capturing about 90% of it.”
Police have been approached for comment abut this morning's incident.
'A bit scary' – petrol station worker
Hardeep from nearby Gull Night 'n Day in Manurewa said he was called around 7.30am today to "help check the pipeline".
"They were asking if there was any leakage or any pipe connected… so I showed them the logs and the plans to make sure everything was OK," he told 1News.
"It was a bit scary at first… just not knowing what was happening and why they were asking all those questions."
He said the Gull Night 'n Day remained open this morning.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including an Auckland fuel pipe’s cut and left leaking, and the English football heavyweights coming here. (Source: Breakfast)
Last week, Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny told 1News in a statement that they were "closely watching for any trends around fuel theft and associated offences".
"At this stage, it is too early to determine any notable change in offending," .
"Police will remain visible in our communities and will respond to any incidents as they arise."
Penny also said police were taking advice from the Ministry of Business, Immigration and Employment around the global fuel shortage.
"Under the National Fuel Plan, there are arrangements to prioritise supply to emergency services to maintain essential operations, and we will continue to monitor any impacts."
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