At least six individuals have died after a fireplace broke out in a single day at a four-storey hostel in Wellington, New Zealand.

The nation's prime minister, Chris Hipkins, advised the AM morning news programme that he understands there are more likely to be extra those who have died.

Police stated they consider the variety of useless will probably be fewer than 10 individuals.

Emergency companies had been referred to as to the Loafers Lodge hostel, within the nation's capital Wellington, at about 12.30am native time.

"This is our worst nightmare," stated Nick Pyatt, hearth and emergency district supervisor, describing the incident as a "once-in-a-decade fire for Wellington".

The hearth division stated 52 individuals had been accounted for, however a quantity nonetheless stay lacking.

Five individuals had been rescued by firefighters from the roof of the constructing, based on 1News.

While Richard MacLean, Wellington City Council spokesman, stated there have been a variety of aged individuals who had escaped with solely the pyjamas they had been sporting.

Quite a lot of individuals had been taken to Wellington Hospital, with one in a severe situation and 4 others in a reasonable situation.

Fifteen individuals had been handled on the scene.

"I can sadly report that this will be a multi-fatality incident," Mr Pyatt added.

"Our thoughts at this time are with the families of those who have perished and with our crews who valiantly rescued those [they could] and attempted to rescue those that they couldn't."

The explanation for the fireplace stays unknown, however police stated they'd be investigating alongside hearth and emergency officers.

Loafers Lodge advertises itself as an reasonably priced place for individuals to remain whereas they're within the capital, whether or not on enterprise or needing to go to the close by Wellington Hospital.

It has 92 rooms and promotes them as being out there long run and was commonly utilized by authorities businesses to offer emergency lodging.