Mount Maunganui motorists are being warned to expect delays as emergency services respond to a chemical spill.

A social media post from the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union says the incident involves a “major liquid chlorine leak from an IXOM tanker”.

Police were called to a commercial property on Totara St to assist with road closures about 11.40am.

Totara St is closed between Triton Ave and Hull Rd with diversions in place, while Fire and Emergency New Zealand tend to the chemical spill.

In a further social media update, the union said specialist hazmat crews were having to travel from Rotorua to attend the incident.

“Because Greerton Fire Station is closed and the local hazmat appliance is uncrewed due to no staff, the emergency specialist hazmat response is now having to travel all the way from Rotorua,” the update read.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area and expect delays.

More to come.