At least six dead in New Zealand hotel fire – DW – 05/16/2023

At least six people died in a fire that broke out in the early hours of Tuesday (05.16.2023) at a hostel in the center of the capital Wellington. New ZealandTold the Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Police and emergency services indicated that many people had died, 52 people had been rescued, some of them from the roof of the site, and dozens more were missing.

Flames and smoke billowed from the four-story building as 80 firefighters and 20 trucks battled the blaze.

Deputy National Commander for Fire and Emergency Brendan Nally said firefighters used a ladder truck to rescue those on the roof.

“Many people were pulled from the roof of an area directly above the fire,” Nally told Radio New Zealand.

“There is no other way, these people will die if not for the intervention of our team,” he added.

The building did not have a sprinkler system, the fire alarm did not go off automatically, and 11 people were still missing, Nally said.

About 90 people were in the building when the fire broke out, fire officials said.

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” declared Hipkins. Asked about the death toll, he replied: “I understand that six have already been confirmed, but it looks like it could be more.”

Hipkins explained that many shift workers were staying at the hostel, making it difficult to know exactly how many people were in the building when the fire broke out.

They believe the final death toll will be 2 less than 10.

Six people were taken to hospital, one of them in critical condition, the capital’s ambulance service said. Another 15 people were treated at the scene.

A police spokesman said they expected the final death toll to be “less than 10” but the exact number would be known only when they approach the building.

The prime minister praised the “incredible effort” of firefighters to put out the fire and evacuate people.

He promised a “thorough investigation” into the disaster.

“There will be an opportunity to determine if the building is in compliance with all the rules, but obviously the focus right now is to support our firefighters,” Hipkins said.

Wellington Mayor Tori Whanau said she believed the death toll was “much higher” than six.

He pointed out that long and short stays, including those on low incomes or passing through New Zealand, were staying at the hostel.

“It feels like a dark day for our Wellington community,” whanau told reporters.

Police said the cause of the fire is unknown and will work with emergency services to determine the cause of the fire.

mg (affp, efe)