St John is treating multiple patients at the centre, in the suburb of Woolston. Photo: Nathan McKinnon / RNZ
Multiple people have been transported to hospital, one in a serious condition after an incident at a childcare centre in Christchurch.
RNZ understands that those transported to hospital are children and that it's understood to be chemical burns.
St John said it was alerted to the incident at 1.13pm, and is treating multiple patients at the centre, in the suburb of Woolston.
It said it does not yet have the total patient count.
A parent told RNZ that a number of children had been affected by a chemical used to clean a slide. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
"We haven't got the total number of patients yet but we are assessing dozens of patients but a further two have gone to hospital - both in moderate condition."
"18 units responded, nine ambulances, three rapid response units, five operations managers and one Major Incident Support Team vehicle," it said.
St John said it could not comment on how the patients were injured because of privacy concerns.
"Our crews are treating multiple patients, one of whom has been transported to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition."
A parent has told RNZ that children have been affected by a chemical used at the centre.
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 have sent firefighters from two stations.
A spokesperson said a hazmat unit had been deployed as a precaution.
A 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.
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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