Wellington, New Zealand - Devastating blaze engulfs New Zealand hostel overnight, claiming the lives of at least six individuals and prompting terrified residents to escape the four-story structure in their sleepwear, described by a fire chief as his "worst nightmare." As of Tuesday, six bodies have been discovered, but due to the collapsed roof on the top floor, search operations in certain sections of the building remain incomplete, as the presence of debris poses safety risks, explained Bruce Stubbs, the incident controller for Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Authorities confirmed that 52 individuals successfully escaped the premises, but efforts are underway to locate and ensure the safety of others who may still be unaccounted for.

Tala Sili, a resident of Loafers Lodge, recounted to news outlet RNZ his harrowing experience of witnessing smoke seeping under his door and discovering a pitch-black hallway upon opening it.

"Being on the top floor, the hallway was engulfed in thick smoke, making it impossible to pass through. Consequently, I had no choice but to jump out of the window," Sili shared.

After bravely leaping from the window, Tala Sili revealed that he landed on a roof situated two floors below his initial position.

"It was an incredibly frightening experience, but I knew that I had to take the risk of jumping out the window rather than face the possibility of being consumed by the fire inside the building," Sili recounted to RNZ. Paramedics promptly rescued him from the roof and provided treatment for his sprained ankle.

Loafers Lodge, which catered to individuals seeking affordable accommodations, offered communal lounges, kitchens, and laundry facilities. The establishment provided a place of residence for a diverse range of people, including those referred by government agencies who were considered vulnerable due to their limited resources and lack of support networks.

With 92 rooms, the hostel was recognizable by its billboards adorning one side. The top story of the building, located in an industrial area near Wellington Regional Hospital, displayed grim evidence of dark smoke stains on its exterior walls.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., firefighters were summoned to the hostel. Authorities confirmed that the building was not equipped with fire sprinklers, as older structures in New Zealand are not mandated to have them retrofitted, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, the police do not suspect any deliberate act of arson. Police Inspector Dion Bennett stated that a comprehensive investigation of the scene would commence on Wednesday after the fire officials handed over access to the building.

According to residents, fire alarms would often go off in the building, potentially triggered by smoking or overly sensitive smoke monitors. As a result, many initially dismissed the alarm as another false alarm.

Prime Minister Hipkins acknowledged that it may take authorities some time to confirm the exact number of fatalities. While the police did not have an exact count, they believed that the death toll was below 10.

The prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the incident, referring to it as an absolute tragedy and a horrific situation. He emphasized that the immediate priority was to address the ongoing situation, while investigations into the cause and circumstances of the fire would be conducted in due course.

According to health authorities, two individuals who were inside the building are currently receiving treatment at hospitals, and both are in stable condition. Three others have already been treated and discharged, while a sixth patient opted to leave without receiving treatment.

Nick Pyatt, the Wellington district manager for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He also acknowledged the efforts of the rescue crews, who worked tirelessly to save as many people as possible.

Pyatt described the incident as their worst nightmare, stating that it couldn't get any worse than this.

Richard MacLean, spokesperson for the Wellington City Council, mentioned that the city and government officials were providing assistance to approximately 50 individuals who managed to escape the fire. An emergency center has been set up by the council at a running track, which offers facilities such as showers to accommodate the survivors.

According to MacLean, a number of elderly individuals managed to escape the building wearing only their pajamas.

He mentioned that many of them appeared shaken and confused by the events that unfolded.

The hostel offered both short-term and long-term rental options, serving as accommodation for individuals from various government agencies, although MacLean didn't have all the specific details.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to New Zealand during a conversation with Prime Minister Hipkins and offered assistance from Australia.

Albanese referred to the incident as a tragic human event and extended his sympathies to the people of New Zealand during this challenging period.