Canterbury Police can confirm that the Fire Service have entered the Chrome Platers building near Heaton Street and located the remains of a fire which appears to have put itself out. Fire Service are currently working to isolate a number of leaking chemical containers that were discovered during a search of the building.
Following discussions with the Fire Service, Canterbury Police are reducing the cordons to a block radius around the Chrome Platers building. There are no domestic dwellings in the area affected by the reduced cordon and the evacuation point at The Trinity Church will be closed in due course.
Evacuated residents are being allowed to return to their homes.
Fire Service are investigating the cause of the fire but advise Police that, at this stage, it is not thought to be suspicious.
Canterbury Police would like to thank those who live and work in the area for their patience and urge the public to stay away from the cordon around the building while the Fire Service work to make the area safe.
A further update will be provided as the situation progresses.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404