A fire ripped through a hostel in New Zealand’s capital overnight, killing at least six people and forcing others to flee in their pajamas in what a fire chief called his “worst nightmare.” Six bodies have been found so far but not all areas of the building had been searched yet. The incident controller for Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the roof collapsed, bringing debris down on the top floor and making the area unsafe. One resident said smoke was pouring under his door on the top floor of the four-story building. He jumped out a window, landing on a roof two floors below. The Loafers Lodge offered affordable rooms for short or long stays to people of a wide range of ages. Some were vulnerable people placed there by government agencies.
Police expect to enter the charred hostel today where at least six people died to begin searching for those who perished and investigating the fire.
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"This scene examination will be an extensive and methodical process, and we expect it to take some time – likely several days," Acting Wellington District Commander Dion Bennett said. "I can confirm that we are treating the fire as arson." The hostel provided accommodation for construction workers, hospital staff and those serving sentences in the community for minor crimes, among other people. Police said on Wednesday that some people were missing, putting the number at less than 20 people.
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