New Zealand: Fire At Wellington Hostel Kills Six, Leaves 11 Missing

A fire broke out at Loafers Lodge, a hostel in the Newtown neighbourhood of Wellington, New Zealand, resulting in the loss of at least six and 11 missing.

Reports on Tuesday claimed the blaze originated on the top floor of the building shortly after midnight, causing significant structural damage that has impeded rescue and recovery efforts.

The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the country and raised questions about the cause of the fire, as emergency services are treating it as suspicious.

FENZ Wellington District Commander Nick Pyatt expressed the gravity of the situation, calling it a "once-in-a-decade fire" for Wellington and offering condolences to the families affected by this tragic event.

The hostel, which provided accommodation for various individuals including construction workers, hospital staff, and those serving sentences for minor crimes, has become the center of investigations as authorities seek to determine the cause of the fire.

The police are also involved in the efforts, aiming to reconcile a comprehensive list of individuals who were present at the hostel during the incident.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins expressed his condolences and visited the site to assess the situation and show support for the emergency service providers involved,