New Zealand hostel fire: At least six dead and more missing in Wellington

At least six people have died and others are missing after a fire broke out at a hostel, New Zealand’s prime minister told local media.

Shortly after midnight local time (12:30 GMT Monday), emergency services were dispatched to the four-story Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington.

More than 50 people were rescued from the building, but police said 11 people were still missing.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has warned that the death toll could rise further.

Police added that they could not be more specific about the death toll until they entered the building.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene found the top floor of the building on fire. By 4 a.m., at least 20 fire engines were dispatched to extinguish the fire.

Fire and Emergency District Commander Nick Pyatt described the fire as Wellington’s “worst nightmare”.

Pyatt also said the building contained asbestos and urged locals to wear masks and keep windows closed to avoid inhaling the smoke, The New Zealand Herald reported.

“This is a tragic event for all involved. Our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives,” he said.

Authorities rescued at least five people from the roof of the burning building, and one was seriously injured after jumping from the third floor of the building to escape the blaze, local media said.

Former Loafers resident Mark Lilly told AFP: “Two of my buddies escaped unscathed, but given the circumstances, there could probably be four others out there that I know of. I do, but I don’t know,” he said.

Loafers Lodge Hostel has a total of 92 rooms, accommodating both short-term and long-term guests.

In 2011, it was designated as emergency accommodation by the New Zealand Department of Social Development. According to official statistics, more than 3,300 families were currently living in emergency housing as of February.

Loafers’ customers range from shift workers such as nurses and hospital staff to the unemployed and the homeless, according to local media reports.

Some residents were deported from Australia, and others are still missing.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but police are investigating whether the fire was intentional.

In comments to local media, Hipkins called the fire an “absolute tragedy”, adding that “people have been risking themselves over the past few hours to get people out of the building to put out the fire. I’ve been exposed,’ paid tribute to the local firefighters.