Wellington, New Zealand – A devastating fire broke out at a hostel in the capital city, resulting in the loss of at least six lives and forcing numerous residents to flee the four-story building in their pajamas. Fire Chief Bruce Stubbs described it as his “worst nightmare” during a press conference on Tuesday.
As the incident unfolded, authorities discovered six bodies, but due to the collapsed roof on the top floor, parts of the building remain unsearched, posing significant challenges for rescue operations. Bruce Stubbs, the incident controller for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, reported that 52 individuals managed to escape the blaze, but efforts are ongoing to account for everyone.
Tala Sili, a resident at the Loafers Lodge hostel, recounted his harrowing experience when he saw smoke seeping under his door, plunging the hallway into darkness. Sili made the brave decision to leap out of a window, landing on a roof two floors below. He was later rescued by paramedics and received treatment for a sprained ankle.
The Loafers Lodge, known for providing basic and affordable accommodation with shared facilities, catered to individuals of diverse age groups, including vulnerable individuals lacking resources or support networks. The hostel, featuring billboards on one side, displayed dark smoke stains on its top story walls in the industrial vicinity near Wellington Regional Hospital.
Firefighters responded to the hostel at approximately 12:30 a.m. Although the building did not have fire sprinklers, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins clarified that retrofitting older buildings with such systems was not mandatory under New Zealand’s building code.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the fire, but arson is not suspected. The police inspector, Dion Bennett, announced plans to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the incident after receiving building access from fire officials.
Residents reported that fire alarms frequently sounded in the building, possibly triggered by smoking or overly sensitive smoke detectors, leading many to initially dismiss the alarms as false alerts.
Prime Minister Hipkins acknowledged the challenging task of confirming the exact number of fatalities and emphasized the need to focus on the immediate response to the tragedy. He expressed his condolences and stated that thorough investigations would be conducted to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Health authorities confirmed that two individuals from the building were receiving treatment at hospitals, both in stable condition. Three others had been treated and discharged, while one person chose to leave without receiving medical attention.
Nick Pyatt, the Wellington district manager for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, conveyed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and expressed his admiration for the rescue teams’ efforts.
The Wellington City Council and government officials are providing assistance to around 50 survivors who escaped the fire and are currently housed in an emergency center. Richard MacLean, a spokesperson for the council, revealed that some elderly individuals had fled the building with only their pajamas, and the shock and confusion among survivors were evident.
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The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigators are exploring all possibilities. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his sympathies to New Zealand and offered assistance in dealing with the tragedy.
The fire at the Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences that fire incidents can bring. As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the lives lost and rallies together to support the survivors in their time of need.
The Loafers Lodge hostel offered both short-term and long-term rentals, serving as emergency accommodation designated by New Zealand’s Ministry of Social Development. The facility was home to various residents, including shift workers, unemployed individuals, and those deported from Australia.