UPDATED 3.52PM All roads in Motueka are back open after a chemical spill caused the town to shut down this afternoon.

Six fire crews used sand and limestone to neutralise the Hydrogen Cynamide, known as Hi-Cane, which leaked from the back of a truck on High and Tudor Streets.

Several buildings were also evacuated in central Motueka following the spill.

The Fire Service is now working with local authorities to dispose of the remains of the spill.