Six people have been killed in a hostel fire with more feared dead in a tragedy labelled 'our worst nightmare' by emergency services. The fire broke out overnight at a four-storey hotel in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins revealed the news on the AM morning news programme, stating he believes there are likely to be more than six people killed in the blaze. Police do not yet have an exact count of the number dead, although they believe it is fewer than 10 people.
The fire broke out at the Loafers Lodge hostel at around 12:30am local time (March 16). Nick Pyatt, Wellington Fire and Emergency District Manager, says there are still people who are unaccounted for following the fire - with 52 accounted for so far.
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He said: “I can sadly report that this will be a multi-fatality incident. Our thoughts at this time are with the families of those who have perished and with our crews who valiantly rescued those [they could] and attempted to rescue those that they couldn’t.
“This is our worst nightmare. It doesn’t get worse than this.”
Police say the cause of the fire remained unexplained, and they would be investigating alongside fire and emergency officials. Wellington City Council says it is working to support those who have escaped the fire.
A council spokesperson wrote on Twitter: "We're aware that the fire in Newtown has taken a tragic turn this morning and that the news that there have been fatalities is extremely distressing. Council staff are working closely with emergency services and other agencies to help the people who have escaped the fire this morning - that includes finding them clothing and helping to arrange accommodation."
Loafers Lodge advertises itself as an affordable place for people to stay while they are in the capital, whether on business or needing to visit the nearby Wellington Hospital. It has 92 rooms and promotes them as being available long term.
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