Multiple people have been killed after a fire ripped through a hostel in Wellington, New Zealand, overnight.
It’s believed the blaze broke out at the Loafers’ Lodge in Newtown soon after midnight local time (10pm AEST).
“It is a truly tragic situation, the worst outcome,” Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has acknowledged first responders desperately trying to save those inside
“Firefighters … have been putting themselves in harm’s way over the last however many hours in order to try and get people out of the building and to try and get the fire out,” he said.
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Authorities are now investigating if the fire had been deliberately lit.
It’s believed up to 90 people were inside the building when the fire broke out, with about 50 to 60 accounted for so far.
One witness has told 9News residents in the building included shift workers such as nurses, doctors, hospital staff and meat workers.
People in Wellington are urged to avoid the scene and wear a mask today if they are in the area, due to asbestos fears.
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