Risk of falling glass closes Wellington street

4:48 pm on 30 January 2017

Willis Street in Wellington has reopened, after it was blocked off earlier this afternoon so a loose pane of glass could be removed from a high-rise building.

The fire service has cordoned off Willis st in Central Wellington due to a risk of glass falling off a nearby building.

The Fire Service cordoned off Willis Street in Central Wellington so a glass pane could be removed from the State Insurance building. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan

The Fire Service closed one block of the street, between Mercer Street and Willeston Street, to pedestrians and traffic about 2.30pm.

A large window on the 15th floor of State Insurance Tower had become loose and was a public safety risk.

It was removed about 3.30pm. The street was open, with traffic flowing freely.

At this stage, it was not known how or why the pane became loose, but a Fire Service spokesperson said earthquake damage or high winds were possibilities.