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Several Killed In New Zealand Hostel Fire

by Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

WELLINGTON (Worthy News) – New Zealand police said Wednesday that arson likely caused a fire that killed at least six people in a multistory hostel for vulnerable residents and others in the nation’s capital.

At least 11 people remained missing after the overnight blaze at the Loafers Lodge, described by officials as their “worst nightmare” and a “once-in-a-decade incident.”

Local media identified Liam Hockings, a journalist, as one of the hostel’s quests unaccounted for. Hockings is reportedly the brother of Lucy Hockings, a presenter of Britain’s broadcaster BBC.

The Loafers Lodge offered 92 basic, affordable rooms with shared lounges, kitchens, and laundry facilities to people of a wide range of ages.

Located in the suburb of Newtown in southern Wellington, it advertises itself as “a cost-effective accommodation option” for short- and long-term residents.

Some people were placed there by government agencies as they were considered vulnerable because they have few resources or support networks. Others worked at a nearby hospital.

The large number of residents in the building complicated the rescue mission, authorities said.

BLAZE SPREADING

The fire spread rapidly through the building, forcing some people to flee in their pajamas, according to witnesses. Others were rescued by firefighters from the roof or dived from windows.

At least five people were rescued off the roof, recalled Nick Pyatt, the Wellington fire commander. “It doesn’t get worse than this,” Pyatt told reporters. “This is a once-in-a-decade fire for Wellington. It’s the worst nightmare for us.”

Police Inspector Dion Bennett told reporters they did not yet detain anybody for arson. Still, he added they have “a list of people” to speak to and hope to identify any suspects or “persons of interest” quickly.

Emergency officials also want to know why the building had no fire sprinklers.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who visited the scene, explained that under the nation’s building codes, noted that sprinklers were not required in older buildings that needed to be retrofitted.

However, following the tragedy, “I have asked the minister for housing to look particularly at issues around building regulations,” Hipkins pledged.

He said the government wanted “to see whether there’s anything more that we should be doing right at this point.”