Auckland Airport Emergency over Fishy "Chemical Spill"

Fire crews were called to Auckland International Airport for a "chemical spill" that turned out to be leaking fish liquid.

The call came at 9.50pm on Thursday, after four baggage handlers came into contact with a mystery liquid.

The fire service responded with five trucks and ambulances also attended, after the liquid was discovered in the hold of a Boeing 737.

The plane was understood to be a Fiji Airways flight.

"There was one chemical spill inside the cargo hold of a 737. Four members of staff were contaminated," fire service spokeswoman Megan Ruru said.

"A small quantity of clear, unidentified liquid had spilled in the cargo hold. Ambulances were required.

"It was [later] identified as fish, leaking from a chilly bin."

The four staff showed no signs of being unwell.