A deadly blaze broke out at a Wellington hostel overnight and is feared to have claimed the lives of up to 10 people.
Images and video of the scene show the extent of the massive fire, described by a fire chief as a worst nightmare scenario.
Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Brendan Nally said there were about 100 people in Loafers Lodge in Newtown when the fire broke out, and 11 remained unaccounted for a midday.
Police said they were expecting number of deaths to be fewer than 10, but could not be specific until a search of the building was possible and it was clear how many residents had been there overnight.
Firefighters pour water on to the roof of the Loafers Lodge hostel in Newtown. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Crews were alerted at just after midnight to the fire at Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Road in Newtown. Photo: Supplied / Axel Dann
Flames and smoke billow from the upper storeys of the 92-room hostel. Photo: Supplied / Katelyn Paul
Fire and Emergency confirmed there were multiple fatalities and said they were expecting that number to rise. Photo: RNZ / Denise Garland
Fire trucks, ambulances and police were at the scene, and part of Adelaide Road was closed, as crews battled the fire in in the multi-storey building. Photo: RNZ / Denise Garland
Eight hours after the blaze broke out, police said they were expecting a death toll of fewer than 10 but could not be more specific due to uncertainty on how many residents were in the building at the time the fire started as well as fears over the building's stability which was making searches difficult. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
FENZ Wellington district manager for Nick Pyatt, left, described the blaze as a worst nightmare scenario for firefighters. Wellington mayor Tory Whanau, also speaking from the scene, said it was a tragedy. The mayor has launched an appeal to help the victims. Photo: RNZ / Jemima Huston
A firefighter undergoes the cleaning process hours after the fire broke out. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Firefighters are expecting to remain at the scene for many hours to dampen down hotspots and to launch an investigation. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the fire was "an absolute tragedy" and "a horrific situation". The fatal fire had also thrown a spotlight onto the building code and Hipkins has not ruled out a higher-level review into safety regulations. Hipkins, Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson and Wellington mayor Tory Whanau were at the scene mid-morning. The tragedy has also thrown a spotlight onto the building code and Hipkins has not ruled out a higher-level review into safety regulations. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
National's deputy leader Nicola Willis accompanied party leader Christopher Luxon to the fire scene. Willis says while building regulations may need to be reviewed today is not the day for focusing on them - instead it is a time to be helping the survivors. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Loafers Lodge has 92 rooms on its three floors of accommodation available for occupancy on both a short-term and long-term capacity, according to its website. It was not equipped with sprinklers - and the building code does not require them to be retrofitted in older buildings. Housing Minister Megan Woods said it had passed a building inspection earlier this year. Photo: RNZ / Denise Garland
Some of the survivors
Simon Hanify who managed to get out of the fire despite wearing a moon boot also warned other residents on his floor about the need to evacuate. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
Tamrat Isse Adan who escaped the fire said he felt very sad and was worried about his friends in the building. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
Paul Jury said residents were shocked and saddened that people have died in the fire. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
Tala Sili described jumping from the top floor of the burning hostel. He said he saw smoke coming under his door and opened it to find the hallway dark and black.He decided then to jump out the window onto a roof two storeys below. Photo: RNZ/Ashleigh McCaull
Miimetua Cameron who has lived at Loafers Lodge for three years said she was asleep when the fire started and was one of the last to escape. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
Around 50 survivors of the fire were being looked after at a shelter in Newton Park, and people were bringing food and supplies. Wellington City Council said it was working in conjunction with other agencies to find accommodation for those left homeless. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
