WELLINGTON,New zealand – In new Zealand’s capital overnight a fire ripped through a hostel.killing atleast six people and forcing others to flee the four story building in their pajamas in what a fire cheif on Tuesday called his “Worst night mare”.
Wellington fire chief Nick pyatt said fifty – two people had made it out of the building but firefighters were still trying to account for other’s, Wellington fire chief Nick pyatt said.Loafers lodge resident Tala sili told News outlet RNZ that he saw smoke pouring through under his door and opened it to find the hallway pitch black.
Silli said ” i was on the top floor and i couldn’t go through the hallway because there was just too much smoke, so jumped out the window.He said he fell into a roof two floors below.
Sili told RNZ ” it was just scary,it was really scary,but I knew I had to jump out the window or just burn inside the building “.
Hw said he was Rescued from the roof by para medics and treated for sprained ankel.
The loafers lodge offered basic, affordable rooms with shared lounges, kitchens and laundry facilities to people of a wide Range of ages,Some were placed there by government agencies and we’re considered vulnerable because they had little in the way of resources or support networks.
The hostel is in an industrial area and features billiboards on one side .Dark smoke stains Extended up the exterior walls on the top story of the building.
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Pyatt said firefighters were called to the hostel at about 12:30 a.m Emergency official said the building had no fire sprinklers ,which prime minister cheris Hipkins said was not required in new Zealand’s building code for older buildings that would have retrofitted.
Police said the cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Residebts told reporters that fire alarms would regulary sound in the building.Possibly from people smoking or overly sensitive smoke monitors ,so many had initially thought it was another false alaram.