Multiple people killed in hostel fire in Wellington, New Zealand | ABC News

Описание: Multiple people have died after a fire broke out overnight at a four-storey hostel in New Zealand's capital, Wellington, authorities have confirmed.
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The Loafers Lodge hostel has a capacity for 92 guests, but it was not clear how many people were inside at the time of the fire.

Wellington Fire and Emergency District Manager Nick Pyatt said 52 people have been accounted for, but others remain unaccounted for.

New Zealand Police have not confirmed the number of fatalities, but said it is less than 10.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that at least six people have died in the blaze.

Trade Minister Don Farrell said Australian officials were working to establish whether any Australians had been affected.

A fire official said five people were rescued off the roof of the building, which according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) had no sprinklers.

Brendan Nally, deputy national commander, said that officials had a list of hostel residents and there were currently 20 people they are trying to track down.

The owner of the hostel, Chris Stevenson, told 1News that around 92 people live at the 94-room lodge.

Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean told ABC News Breakfast that a number of elderly people have been caught up in the emergency, as the hostel accommodates a "cross-section of the community".

The council opened a welfare centre on Tuesday morning, where about 50 people that escaped the fire were residing.

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