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Help and support/In an emergency

In an emergency

For electricity, gas or fibre emergencies please contact us on the numbers below.

For information on what to do if you hit an overhead power line, an underground electricity cable, gas pipe or fibre cable read more here.


Electricity

In an emergency call us toll free on:

0508 832 867



Gas 

Auckland only - In an emergency call us toll free on:

0800 764 764


Outside Auckland? Call Contact First Gas toll free on: 0800 734 567



Fibre

In an emergency call us toll free on:

0800 826 436


What to do in an emergency

five work crew working on a fallen powerpole at side of road

Electricity – if you hit an overhead line or underground cable:

  • Treat the cable or overhead line as live – jump well clear and get back at least 10 metres.
  • Evacuate the immediate area.
  • If you are in a machine, stay there.
  • If you are at serious risk from another hazard, such as fire, and must leave the machine, jump well clear. Do not touch metal surfaces, or the machine and ground at the same time.
  • Leave damaged cables exposed for us to fix.
  • Call emergency services immediately on 111.
  • In the event of an electric shock, don’t touch the victim until you are certain the source of electricity has been removed. Call 111.

If you hit a gas pipeline, or smell or hear gas escaping:

  • Switch off all machinery and remove all sources of ignition, including mobile phones.
  • Evacuate the area and stay at least 50m away.
  • Call us on 0800 764 764, or call the fire service on 111.
  • Leave the damaged pipe to vent and do not try to cover it.
  • Do not re-enter the leak area for any reason.
  • Leave any ignited gas fires to burn, do not try extinguish them.
  • Do not attempt to squeeze off or bend over the gas pipe.
  • Do not smoke or vape.




If you suspect there is a gas leak indoors:

  • Switch off all gas appliances and remove all sources of ignition, including mobile phones.
  • Do not operate lights or any electrical switches.
  • Evacuate the building leaving doors and windows open, and stay at least 50m away.
  • Call us on 0800 764 764, or call the fire service on 111.
  • Do not re-enter the building.
  • Turn the gas meter off if you know where the gas meter is. Your gas meter is located outside of the house. The valve on the service pipe only requires a quarter turn to move from 'on' to 'off'. The gas supply is off/closed when the handle is horizontal to the pipe. Give the valve a ¼ turn clockwise (i.e. 12 - 3 o'clock) to trun it off.
  • Do not smoke or vape.



If you hit a fibre cable:

  • DO NOT look directly at the cable as laser light may damage eyesight.
  • Leave damaged cable exposed for us to fix it.
  • Call us immediately on 0800 826 436 (select option 1, then select option 2 for Vector Fibre).