16 May 2023

Wellington Fire: Number of fatalities expected to rise

From Morning Report, 8:08 am on 16 May 2023

Multiple people are dead after a fire overnight in a 92-room hostel in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.

The alarm was raised of a fire at the Loafers Lodge hostel just after midnight. Fire and Emergency have described it as a worst nightmare situation.

Five people have been taken to hospital 2 in a serious condition.

More than 70 people made it out of the building. At least five people were rescued off the roof.

A further 15 people were treated by ambulance staff at the scene but did not require -- or did not want -- hospital treatment.

Deputy National Commander Brendan Nally spoke with Corin Dann.