One of Auckland’s busiest fire stations has been cleared to reopen, one day after dust samples tested positive for asbestos.
The Pitt St Fire Station in Auckland was closed just before midnight on Friday for decontamination as a result of testing from July, Fire and Emergency New Zealand Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said on Saturday.
“This is a result we were not expecting,” Stiffler said, saying the organisation was “disappointed”.
“The safety and well-being of our firefighters is of the utmost importance to us, and the station has been closed.”
She said Fire and Emergency had “no reason” to believe there had been any spread of asbestos beyond the initial rooms since it was removed in September last year.
A Fire and Emergency official said it was “a result we were not expecting”. (Source: 1News)
In an update this afternoon, Stiffler said precautionary air and swab testing carried out on Saturday came back negative for asbestos.
“We are pleased to confirm that all these tests came back with a negative result. With testing now completed, our people can work from the station without disruptions,” she said.
“We also provided precautionary deep cleaning of three trucks and one van. All four are now back on the run.
“The health and safety of our people is always our utmost priority. We are continuing to work closely with staff and their representatives to ensure our people and their whānau have what they need and their welfare is being looked after.”
The station was previously out of action in 2023 after asbestos was discovered during renovation work.
Once used frequently in construction, asbestos can cause disastrous health effects, including lung scarring, asbestosis and cancer.
