A fire at a Wellington hostel early this morning has killed up to 10 people.
The fire broke out at Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Road in Newtown at around midnight. Fire crews were called to the scene and found the building engulfed in flames.
The fire was so intense that it took firefighters several hours to bring it under control. By the time the fire was extinguished, the building was completely destroyed.
Eleven people remain unaccounted for and are feared dead. Four people were taken to hospital with injuries, but their conditions are not known.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but police have said that they do not believe it was suspicious.
The fire has devastated the Wellington community. Mayor Tory Whanau said that she broke down while she was at the scene when she realized that people had died.
“This is a tragedy for our city,” she said. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.”
The fire is a reminder of the dangers of fire. It is important to have a fire escape plan in place and to know what to do in the event of a fire.
If you are in a fire, the most important thing is to get out as quickly as possible. If you cannot get out, find a safe place to stay and cover your mouth and nose with a cloth to protect yourself from the smoke.
Firefighters are heroes. They risk their lives to save others. Please thank a firefighter today.
