May 16, 2023
PM offers support for Newtown fire victims
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has visited the site of a fire at a hostel in Newtown which killed several people in the early hours of the morning.
Firefighters helped more than 50 people out of the Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Rd, but as of 11am there were 11 people still unaccounted for.
Mr Hipkins says it was short-term, hostel-type accommodation, and there will be people in there who potentially are in quite a vulnerable situation.
“I do want to be able to offer support to those who have been dealing with a pretty tragic set of circumstances and let them know the New Zealand community is behind them, Our local Members of Parliament will be working with people in the evacuation centre to make sure they are getting all the support they need,” he says.
Prime Minister Hipkins says all those affected by the fire and especially those who lost alll their belongings will be accommodated.
Investigations on the cause of the fire are continuing, but the building did not have sprinklers.