At least six people have died after a fire broke out overnight at a four-storey hostel in New Zealand.

The country’s prime minister, Chris Hipkins, told the AM morning news programme that he understands there are likely to be more people that have died.

But police said they believe the number of dead will likely be fewer than 10 people.

Emergency services were called to the Loafers Lodge hostel, in the country’s capital Wellington, at about 12.30am local time.

“This is our worst nightmare,” Nick Pyatt, fire and emergency district manager said, describing the incident as a “once-in-a-decade fire for Wellington”.

The fire department said 52 people had been accounted for, but a number still remain missing.

Five people were rescued by firefighters from the roof of the building, according to 1News.

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While Richard MacLean, Wellington City Council spokesman, said there were a number of elderly people who had escaped with only the pyjamas they were wearing.

A number of people were taken to Wellington Hospital, with one in a serious condition and four others in a moderate condition.

Fifteen people were treated at 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 cause of the fire remains unknown, but police said they would be investigating alongside fire and emergency officials.

Loafers Lodge advertises itself as an affordable place for people to stay while they are in the capital, whether on business or needing to visit the nearby Wellington Hospital.

It has 92 rooms and promotes them as being available long term and was regularly used by government agencies to provide emergency accommodation.

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