At least five children have suffered chemical burns after a corrosive product was used on a water slide instead of detergent at a Christchurch childcare centre.
RNZ understands the children and two adults have been taken to hospital from Kindercare in Woolston, one of whom is in a serious condition and the others in a moderate condition.
Woolston senior station officer John Herriot said a corrosive product had mistakenly been used instead of detergent on a makeshift waterslide.
"The teachers have had a waterslide - bit of fun for the kids - out the back today and at some point of time some detergent's unfortunately been misidentified and a corrosive product has ended up on the slip and slide. This has caused some irritation to the children's skin and some light blistering.
"We've just responded with our specialist hazmat response along with ... St John to resolve the issue."
St John said it was alerted to the incident at the Kindercare daycare at 1.13pm.
In total, 40 patients were assessed and those that were not taken to hospital are uninjured, it said.
A parent told RNZ that a number of children had been affected by a chemical used to clean a slide. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
"18 units responded, nine ambulances, three rapid response units, five operations managers and one Major Incident Support Team vehicle," St John said.
One mum, Nikita Wagstaff, said her daughter suffered a small burn to her hand, but was otherwise ok. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
One mum, Nikita Wagstaff, said her daughter suffered a small burn to her hand, but was otherwise ok.
Fire and Emergency had sent firefighters from two stations.
A spokesperson said a hazmat unit had been deployed as a precaution.
An RNZ reporter at the scene has seen a child being loaded into an ambulance.
A parent, who has a child at the centre, told RNZ that three children had been affected by a chemical used to clean a slide.
The parent did not know what the chemical was and their child was not affected.
RNZ has approached the childcare centre, but staff refused to comment.
WorkSafe confirmed is in contact with Kindercare in Woolston.
"We have opened an investigation and will attend the scene to gather evidence and understand the circumstances," a spokesperson said.
One person has been taken to hospital in a serious condition from a childcare centre in the Christchurch suburb of Woolston. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
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