Multiple children have reportedly suffered chemical burns at a Christchurch daycare centre this afternoon.

Police confirmed staff were “assisting St John and Fire and Emergency New Zealand” at the incident.

“Cordons are in place,” said a spokesperson.

An NZME reporter at the scene said children were being taken out of the daycare building by paramedics, wrapped in sheets.

Other children were being wheeled out on stretchers.

Hato Hone St John said it was notified at 1.13pm of an incident on Ferry Rd in Woolston, and is assessing “dozens of patients”.

Eighteen emergency vehicles have responded to the scene, including multiple ambulances, rapid response units and operations managers.

“Our crews are treating multiple patients,” a spokesperson said.

Four people in a moderate condition and one in a serious condition have been transported to Christchurch Hospital.

Multiple crews are on the scene. Photo / Rosie Leishman

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said crews are assisting Hato Hone St John with a “hazardous substance incident” in Woolston.

“Three trucks are currently on the scene,” the spokesperson said.

“The crews were called to assist around 1.20pm. Please contact Hato Hone St John for more information.”

A parent of a child at the centre told RNZ that three children were affected by a chemical used to clean a slide.

Mother Nikita Wagstaff said her daughter suffered a small burn to her hand from the incident.

She said it was “only little, and that could be considered a blister”.

She said she was told there had been an accident involving a chemical on the water slide but did not know what the chemical was.

Photo / Rosie Leishman

A grandparent picking up their grandson from the centre said his first instinct after hearing about the emergency was to come down and make sure he was all right.

“I was just concerned about him and I said to my son that I would come and grab him. I only live across the road and have just finished work.”

He knew little about the youngsters needing medical attention but said there were plenty of children inside running around in another area of the centre who appeared quite happy and unaffected by the ordeal.

A neighbouring dairy owner told the Herald he was uncertain what had happened at the daycare centre, but a customer had told him “liquid on the floor” was involved.

The owner of the Hargood Discounter said he saw several emergency services race to the childcare centre this afternoon.

More soon.