At Least 6 People Dead, 11 Missing After Hostel Fire In New Zealand

<p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-0"><strong>New Delhi: </strong>At least six people were killed in a massive fire that broke out at a hostel in New Zealand on Tuesday, with officials expecting the toll to rise as 11 people still remain missing, reported Reuters.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-0">The blaze broke out on the top floor of Loafers Lodge in the Wellington neighbourhood of Newtown just after midnight, Reuters reported citing police officials.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-6">According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), firefighters are on the scene as there are still small fires inside the building, and structural and risks assessments along with a probe to identify the cause of the fire are also underway, reported the news agency Reuters.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-6">Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told the AM morning news program that six were dead and police said that they expect the death toll will be fewer than 10.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-9">He visited the site and spoke with emergency service providers, according to Reuters.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-10">While speaking to the media after the visit, Hipkins said, "It is an absolute tragedy and it is a horrific situation."</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-11">"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 needs to be on dealing with the situation," he added.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-11">District Manager Commander Nick Pyatt said in a statement, "This is a once-in-a-decade fire for Wellington. It&rsquo;s the worst nightmare for us."</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-3">"This is a tragic event for all involved. My heartfelt condolences go to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives," it further said.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-3">According to Reuters, a resident of Loafers Lodge, Tala Sili, said that he saw smoke coming under his door and opened it to find the hallway full of smoke. After seeing the smoke, he decided to jump out the window onto a roof two floors below.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-5">"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 told state-owned Radio New Zealand.</p> <p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__full_width__ekUdw body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="paragraph-7">Police said they will not have more information until the 92-room building is safe to enter, and there remains a risk the roof will collapse.</p>