Up to 10 people have died after a horror fire broke out at a hostel building in central Wellington overnight amid fears the blaze was deliberately lit.
Fire and emergency crews were called to the Loafers Lodge Hostel on Adelaide Road, Newtown, just before 12:30am to battle a fire on the third floor.
Up to 52 people were evacuated from the four-storey building after being warned of the blaze with up to 20 people believed to be still unaccounted for.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) confirmed ‘a number of people’ were unaccounted for but is yet to confirm any deaths.
At least five people have been rushed to hospital, one in a serious condition and four in a stable condition. Fifteen others were treated at the scene.
Up to 20 fire trucks were on the scene by 4am on Tuesday, with firefighters battling what District Manager Pyatt has called a ‘once-in-a-decade fire’.
Up to 10 people have died after a fire broke out at a hostel building in central Wellington overnight amid fears there could be more fatalities (pictures is the Lodgers Loafers hostel)
Fire and emergency crews were called to the Loafers Lodge Hostel on Adelaide Road just before 12:30am to battle a fire on the top floor
‘This is our once-in-a-decade fire for Wellington,’ Pyatt told a press conference.
‘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 and attempted to rescue those that they couldn’t.
‘This is our worst nightmare. It doesn’t get worse than this.’
Terrifying video and images captured by locals at the scene show large plumes of smoke and flames coming from the hostel’s roof.
A resident who lives on the third floor told local media that he believed there were two fires at the hostel during the the early hours of Tuesday morning.
During the second, he opened his door to find thick plumes of smoke and people yelling for help. He grabbed his phone and vape, but ran out without any shoes.
Another resident said many lodgers who lived in the hostel’s top floors were elderly.
Deportee advocate Filipa Payne said the hostel was used by the government and Prison Aid and Rehabilitation to accommodate returned 501 deportees.
‘There was quite a family unit. This is a horrible tragedy that will affect people that have been placed there through a traumatic and barbaric system,’ she told Stuff.
‘The people left behind who are already vulnerable and disconnected.’
Up to 90 firefighters were at the scene at one point in the morning, with many officials applauding crews for their bravery.
Wellington City Council said up to 50 people have been temporarily rehomed at the Newtown Park stadium, where they have received loaves of bread, clothes, towels and hygiene products.
Many residents escaped from the hostel wearing only their pyjamas.
At least six people have died in a horror hostel fire, with fears dozens could be unaccounted for
Wellington Fire and Emergency said 20 fire trucks were on the scene by 4am
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau is pictured at the scene of the fatal hostel fire on Tuesday. She became emotional as she spoke of the impact of the fire on her city
Onlookers reported on social media that the fire had appeared to be under control, before starting up again. The fire was put out just after 6am local time.
The hostel has capacity for 92 people, however it remains unclear how many people were inside when the fire broke out at about 12:25am.
At least one person was injured as they tried to jump from a third-floor window, while five people were rescued from the roof with crews using an aerial appliance.
Local media have reported there’s speculation the fire was deliberately lit.
FENZ Deputy National Commander Brendon Nally said on Newstalk ZB there were no sprinklers in the building.
The roof of the hostel is caving in and is at risk of collapse, with the presence of asbestos adding to the danger at the scene.
Residents in the area were told to stay inside and to close their doors and windows due to the smoke plume.
People in the Wellington CBD have been advised to wear a mask due to protect from the asbestos with traffic between the central city and southern suburbs likely to be diverted for several hours.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau became emotional as she described the impact of the fatal blaze on her city, saying she was ‘devastated’.
At least one person was injured as they tried to jump from a third-floor window, while five people were rescued from the roof with an aerial appliance (crews at the scene)
The hostel has capacity for 92 people, however it unclear how many people were inside when the fire broke out at about 12:25am
‘I dare say it’s been a shock to the system – a very emotional few minutes with the crew here,’ she told TVNZ’s Breakfast.
‘I’m feeling a lot of pain and emotion at those who have been lost.’
Mayor Whanau acknowledged the courage of the 20 fire crews who fought the blaze and said she was ‘feeling the emotion’ at the scene.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said it was a ‘really tragic situation’.
He said the cause of the blaze would be investigated after crews had made sure everyone had been removed from the building and the fire had been put out.
‘Our thoughts will be with all of the firefighters involved and all the victims of today’s tragedy,’ he said.
‘It’s a really tragic situation.
‘For now I want to particularly acknowledge the firefighters who have put themselves in harm’s way over past hours to get people out of the building and put the fire out.’
Deportee advocate Filipa Payne said the hostel (pictured before the fire) was used by the government and Prison Aid and Rehabilitation to accommodate returned deportees
Terrifying video and images captured by locals at the scene show large plumes of smoke and flames coming from the hostel’s roof (pictured)
Loafer’s Lodge property manager Marie Murphy said a ‘real variety’ of people live at the hostel, some who had been there longer than she had.
‘We’ve got everyone living there. We have nurses. We’ve had doctors, nurses, unemployed people, meat workers, hospital staff. All sorts of people. A real variety of people,’ she told the NZ Herald.
‘This is very sad for a lot of people. Not only the ones who’ve lost their lives, but those who’ve lost their homes. There’s a lot of full time people. A lot have been there longer than I’ve been there.
‘It just feels surreal. It doesn’t feel real. It’s very hard. It was a pretty bad fire. I’m feeling very sad at the moment. I really have no information about what has happened yet.’
Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said the fatal blaze was ‘absolutely devastating news to wake up to’.
‘My heart goes out to everyone who has been hurt and to the friends and families of the victims,’ he said.
‘Obviously there will be thorough investigations of what has happened here, but for now the most important thing is that everyone stays safe and we look after those who has been affected.’
