At least six dead in New Zealand Loafers Lodge hostel fire
Emergency services were called to the four-storey Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington just after midnight local time (12:30 GMT Monday).
Over 50 people were rescued from the building, but police said 11 remained unaccounted for.
PM Chris Hipkins warned the number of dead was likely to increase.
Police added that they could not be more specific on the number of deaths until they could access the building.
The cause of the blaze is still unknown. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said they treated the fire as suspicious, but police "don't believe it's been deliberately lit", the New Zealand Herald reported.
Arriving at the scene, firefighters found the top level of the building ablaze. By 04:00, at least 20 fire engines had been sent to the blaze.
Local media reports said the sprinklers did not work, and officials could not confirm whether the fire alarms were working.
FENZ district commander Nick Pyatt described it as Wellington's "worst nightmare".
Mr Pyatt also said the building contained asbestos and urged locals to wear a face mask and keep their windows closed to avoid inhaling smoke, the New Zealand Herald reported.
"This is a tragic event for all involved. My heartfelt condolences go to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives", he said.
0 Comment