Wellington hostel fire – live: Survivors had to choose whether to ‘jump out the window or just burn’

At least six people are dead and 11 are missing

Wellington hostel fire: At least six killed after blaze engulfs New Zealand lodge

At least six people are dead and 11 are missing after a fire broke out at a four-storey hostel in Wellington, New Zealand.

The 92-room Loafers Lodge hostel in Newtown, in Wellington’s south, caught alight just after midnight on Monday, prompting an evacuation.

Local fire chief Nick Pyatt said it was a “once in a decade fire” for the nation’s capital, describing the tragedy as “the worst nightmare for us”.

The prime minister, Chris Hipkins, who visited the scene on Tuesday morning, said at least six people had died.

“I understand six confirmed previously and it looks like there are likely to be more.”

Residents have described horrific details of making split second decisions to save their lives as the fire engulfed their building.

“It was just scary, it was really scary, but I knew I had to jump out the window or just burn inside the building,” Tala Sili, a resident of the lodge, told news outlet RNZ.

The Loafers Lodge offered basic, affordable rooms with shared lounges, kitchens and laundry facilities to people of a wide range of ages.

Key Points

• A 'worst nightmare' fire in New Zealand's capital
• Six dead and 11 missing after fire enguls Loafers lodge
• Hipkins says there will be 'a number of investigations'
• 'Jump out the window or just burn inside the building': Residents describe their horror
• Many elderly people reported living on upper floors

[16 May 2023 05:00 · Namita Singh]

Authorities had 'no concern' during recent inspection of hostel

The Loafers Lodge building was inspected and issued a building warrant of fitness by the Wellington City Council in March this year, according to New Zealand based news website Stuff.

“There were no concerns raised by the independently qualified person who inspected and tested the life safety systems in the building,” spokesperson Richard MacLean was quoted as saying.

[16 May 2023 05:30 · Namita Singh]

'An absolute tragedy': Hipkins says there will be 'a number of investigations'

Prime minister Chris Hipkins told news reporters in the morning that a “number of investigations” will be carried out after a fire engulfed Loafers Lodge in Wellington.

However, he added that the focus currently remains on “dealing with the situation.”

“It is an absolute tragedy. It is a horrific situation,” the prime minister told reporters.

“In the fullness of time, of course, there will be a number of investigations about what has happened and why it happened. But for now, the focus clearly has to be on dealing with the situation.”

[16 May 2023 06:00 · Stuti Mishra]

In pictures: View of the scene after fire at Loafers Lodge

A general view of the scene after a fire at Loafers Lodge (Getty Images)

Burnt windows can be seen on the second floor of the lodge (Getty Images)

Police and rescuers are seen present at the site (Getty Images)

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arrives at the scene after a fire at Loafers Lodge (Getty Images)

[16 May 2023 06:30 · Stuti Mishra]

'A dreadful human tragedy': Albanese expresses condolences for New Zealand

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese told reporters he had spoken with his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins and offered Australian assistance.

“This is a dreadful human tragedy,” Mr Albanese said. “I expressed my condolences on behalf of Australia to our friends in New Zealand at this very difficult time.”

[16 May 2023 07:00 · Stuti Mishra]

Loafers Lodge was home to several vulnerable people

Loafers Lodge, the hostel that was engulfed by fire overnight, provided a combination of short-term and long-term rentals at affordable rates to people visiting Wellington.

Its residents were mostly shift workers, elderly people, health workers and people in vulnerable housing conditions, according to residents, advocates, and the local health board.

Local media reports also state that the hostel was used by various government agencies to provide emergency accommodation to people who did not have a home.

The lodge advertises itself as an affordable place for people to stay while they are in the capital, whether on business or needing to visit the nearby Wellington Hospital.

It has 92 rooms and promotes them as being available long term.

[16 May 2023 07:30 · Stuti Mishra]

11 people remain unaccounted for

Eleven people still remain unaccounted for as of 5pm local time, according to local media reports quoting officials.

Police have confirmed at least six bodies have been found but there are fears of more deaths as the authorities haven't yet started the identification process.

Meanwhile, several survivors were being treated at local hospitals and about 50 people who are displaced are being cared for by local agencies.

[16 May 2023 08:18 · Stuti Mishra]

We are closing down this blog now, but we will keep monitoring the situation at Loafers Lodge and provide the latest updates.

For all the details, you can check out our story here.