'Sabotage': Pipe attacked near south Auckland petrol station

Emergency services are investigating after a pipe was vandalised, releasing an unknown substance 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 pipe that had been vandalised.

Shortly before 10am, Counties Manukau District Assistant Commander Chris Delfos said after further investigation, FENZ discovered it was a power cable with fuel insulation – described as "a diesel-looking line" – that had been deliberately cut.

He said that it was "possible" someone cut the wrong line, which could also possibly have been linked to a telephone line which was cut around 3am this morning.

Delfos said firefighters were working to contain whatever substance was leaking into the stream, as it was currently leaking onto a grass patch that flowed into the water.

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 the substance seeped from the pipe.

Earlier, Chris Delfos said crews arrived to find "some kind of sabotage" to the pipeline which travelled under a bridge on Great South Rd.

He said firefighters initially suspected this fuel to be diesel.

"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.

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 leak and figure out where it was going to.

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.

Hardeep from nearby Gull Night 'n Day in Takanini said they were called around 7.30am today to "help check the pipeline".

In a statement, Gull Takanini said the pipeline issue on the overbridge "did not affect the Gull Takanini site at all".

"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," they told 1News.

"It was a bit scary at first… just not knowing what was happening and why they were asking all those questions."

Hardeep said the Gull Night 'n Day remained open this morning.

A Z Energy spokesperson said the incident was not connect to its U-GO outlet. “This incident is not related to Z Energy and took place next to our U‑GO Manurewa site. Fire and Emergency New Zealand is managing the response, so we are unable to provide further comment.”

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."