The 92-room hostel in Wellington housed individuals such as construction workers, hospital personnel, and those serving community sentences for minor offenses.
In New Zealand, at least six individuals perished in a four-story hostel fire.
The number of fatalities could rise, according to officials, as eleven individuals are still missing.
Chris Hipkins, the prime minister, described the fire as an “absolute tragedy” and a “horrific situation.”
The 92-room hostel housed construction laborers, hospital employees, and those serving community sentences for minor offenses, among others.
Some of the hostel’s inhabitants were vulnerable and had lost everything in the fire, according to Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson.
According to officials, approximately 52 individuals have been located. One individual is in critical condition and four others are in moderate condition, all of whom have been transported to Wellington Hospital.
The police have brought in specialists from across the nation to investigate the origin of the fire, which remains unknown.
Bruce Stubbs, assistant national commander of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, told the New Zealand Herald that the fire was being treated as “suspicious.”
It was very terrifying.
Filipa Payne, an advocate for deportees, told Radio New Zealand that several deportees were residing at the hostel and that she believes some of them are among the missing.
Tala Sili, a resident of the hostel, revealed his escape to the news outlet.
He stated, “It was frightening, it was terrifying, but I knew I had to jump out the window or I would burn alive inside the building.”
Simon Hanify disclosed to the same radio station that he had resided in the hostel for five months and that false fire alarms occurred frequently.
Despite his injured limb, he went through the corridors of the hostel banging on doors to alert his fellow residents.
“When I left my room, I could smell smoke in the hallway,” he explained.
“I went directly to the kitchen and noticed smoke streaming down the staircase.
“I’ve just completed a lap of our floor announcing, ‘Everyone out, this one’s real’.”
Tamrat Isse Adan, another resident, told Stuff. co.nz, “The alarms go off every week, twice or three times. There is no good management there.”
Mr. Adan fled with only his phone and jacket and said he doesn’t know where he’ll sleep tonight.
A tragic occurrence
Police stated the upper floor of Loafers Lodge caught fire shortly after midnight. The cause is unknown.
Nick Pyatt, the fire chief of Wellington, stated, “This is a once-in-a-decade fire for Wellington – it’s our worst nightmare.”
This is a tragic occurrence for everyone involved.
My deepest condolences go out to the families of those who have passed away.
Tuesday morning, firefighters were still on the scene extinguishing minor fires and evaluating the building’s structural integrity.
The top floor roof collapsed, dragging debris, therefore not all portions of the structure have been examined.
Firefighters have already determined that the 92-room structure lacked sprinklers.
Wellington Police Acting District Commander Dion Bennett said national specialised investigators and investigating teams were brought in.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who visited the site and spoke with emergency personnel, stated on the morning television program AM, “It is an absolute tragedy and a horrifying situation.”
Eventually, there will be several investigations into what happened and why it occurred, but for the time being, the emphasis must be on dealing with the situation.
The hostel manager, Marie Murphy, told Stuff.co.nz that residents include physicians, nurses, unemployed people, and butchers.
She added, “This is very tragic for a large number of people, including those who have lost their lives and their homes.”
