Nelson hotel evacuated after gas leak

A Nelson hotel was evacuated after gas leaked out into the gymnasium and bar area forcing around 100 guests out into the cold in the middle of the night.

Firefighters were called to Rutherford Hotel at about 11.30pm on Wednesday to deal with what was believed to be smoke filling the gym.

But it wasn't smoke - it was refrigeration gas, a visible gas used in fridges and air conditioning units which can be poisonous in small spaces.

"It looked like a cloud," Fire Service's Andrew Norris told NZ Newswire.

"In a confined area like in a room it's certainly not good for you."

The 98 guests were housed at another hotel nearby and four staff were checked as a health precaution.

Firefighters wearing gas masks, isolated the leaks and guests were allowed back into the hotel at about 2am when the area had been ventilated.

Mr Norris said it was still unclear what caused the leak.