At least six people have died in a fire that broke out at a New Zealand hostel, according to multiple outlets.Per the local media’smost recent report, more than 50 people have been rescued with 11 still unaccounted for at Loafers Lodge in Wellington, the island country’s capital. Emergency services were called just after midnight on Monday morning, noted theNew Zealand Herald.Policehave acknowledgedthat the total number of deaths is unspecified as they could not get immediate access into the blazing four-story building. At least 20 fire trucks were called in over the course of a few hours. So far, the cause of the fire is unknown but is reportedly being treated as “suspicious,” though police told the outlet that they “don’t believe it’s been deliberately lit.“MASANORI UDAGAWA/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockLocal media had also reported that sprinklers were not functioning, which officials have now confirmed as well to theNew Zealand Herald, and whether or not fire alarms were working in the building has yet to be determined.MASANORI UDAGAWA/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) district commander Nick Pyatt spoke of the tragedy to the outlet.“This is a tragic event for all involved,” he said. “My heartfelt condolences go to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.“Pyatt added that the building contained asbestos and warned locals to wear face masks and keep their windows closed for the time being.PEOPLE reached out to local authorities in Wellington for an official statement.CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/ShutterstockOne of the residents in the 92-room hostel, Tala Sili, toldCNN affiliate Radio New Zealandhe suddenly saw smoke coming in from under the door and found the hallway to be full of smoke. He made the quick decision of jumping out the window to a roof two stories down.“It was just scary, it was really scary, but I knew I had to jump out the window or just burn inside the building,” he said.New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins spoke on the scene Monday morning, according toNPR.“It is an absolute tragedy. It is a horrific situation,” Hipkins told reporters, stating that there will likely be more deaths confirmed. “In the fullness of time, of course, there will be a number of investigations about what has happened and why it happened. But for now, the focus clearly has to be on dealing with the situation.“Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, perABC News, told reporters he’d offered Hipkins assistance.“This is a dreadful human tragedy,” Albanese said. “I expressed my condolences on behalf of Australia to our friends in New Zealand at this very difficult time.”
At least six people have died in a fire that broke out at a New Zealand hostel, according to multiple outlets.
Per the local media’smost recent report, more than 50 people have been rescued with 11 still unaccounted for at Loafers Lodge in Wellington, the island country’s capital. Emergency services were called just after midnight on Monday morning, noted theNew Zealand Herald.
Policehave acknowledgedthat the total number of deaths is unspecified as they could not get immediate access into the blazing four-story building. At least 20 fire trucks were called in over the course of a few hours. So far, the cause of the fire is unknown but is reportedly being treated as “suspicious,” though police told the outlet that they “don’t believe it’s been deliberately lit.”
MASANORI UDAGAWA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Local media had also reported that sprinklers were not functioning, which officials have now confirmed as well to theNew Zealand Herald, and whether or not fire alarms were working in the building has yet to be determined.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) district commander Nick Pyatt spoke of the tragedy to the outlet.
“This is a tragic event for all involved,” he said. “My heartfelt condolences go to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.”
Pyatt added that the building contained asbestos and warned locals to wear face masks and keep their windows closed for the time being.
PEOPLE reached out to local authorities in Wellington for an official statement.
CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock
One of the residents in the 92-room hostel, Tala Sili, toldCNN affiliate Radio New Zealandhe suddenly saw smoke coming in from under the door and found the hallway to be full of smoke. He made the quick decision of jumping out the window to a roof two stories down.
“It was just scary, it was really scary, but I knew I had to jump out the window or just burn inside the building,” he said.
New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins spoke on the scene Monday morning, according toNPR.
“It is an absolute tragedy. It is a horrific situation,” Hipkins told reporters, stating that there will likely be more deaths confirmed. “In the fullness of time, of course, there will be a number of investigations about what has happened and why it happened. But for now, the focus clearly has to be on dealing with the situation.”
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, perABC News, told reporters he’d offered Hipkins assistance.
“This is a dreadful human tragedy,” Albanese said. “I expressed my condolences on behalf of Australia to our friends in New Zealand at this very difficult time.”
source: people.com
