Edmonds BarbaraMINISTERIAL STATEMENTSLoafers Lodge Fire—Newtown WellingtonHon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister of Internal Affairs): I wish to make a ministerial statement relating to the Newtown fire.It is with great sorrow that I advise the House that there have been multiple deaths in a tragic fire in a residential building on Adelaide Road Newtown this morning.The Prime Minister and I and local MPs Grant Robertson Ibrahim Omer and Paul Eagle have just returned from Newtown. Along with Mayor Tory Whanau we met with some of those affected. We met first responders and witnessed the distress on their faces. We heard stories of the scene that confronted Fire and Emergency and police when they first arrived.At approximately 12.25 a.m. this morning Fire and Emergency were called to what they knew would be a significant fire in a hostel in Wellington. I'm advised that the first fire truck arrived at 12.30 a.m. Crews found the fire was already well involved. The fire was quickly elevated to fifth alarm the highest level. There were 20 fire appliances on the scene by 4 a.m. At its peak there were 29 fire crews involved with more than 80 firefighters from all over Wellington. Fire crews rescued five people off the roof using a specialist aerial appliance. They helped save many many lives. Fire and Emergency's communication centre staff who were taking 111 calls from people trapped in the building did an exceptional job; they too undoubtedly saved lives last night.The Prime Minister and I spoke with national commander Russell Wood and the incident controller district manager Nick Pyatt and firefighters at the scene this morning. The toll on our firefighters and communication centre staff is not to be underestimated. The devastation I saw on the faces of those involved was unmistakable. All I can say is thank you for your incredible service and your bravery.Thank you also to police and Wellington Free Ambulance for the work they too have done overnight. Thank you especially to the staff at Wellington Hospital literally just around the corner from the fire. Staff in the emergency department helped to triage patients and treat those most in need.Fire and Emergency have told me that their key focus now is the wellbeing of its people and investigating the fire. At this stage the cause of the fire is unexplained and police will be working alongside Fire and Emergency to determine the cause. Police are asking people to please come forward if they or someone they know have been staying at the property; please contact 105 referencing Operation Rose.The Ministry of Social Development and other agencies are working closely with Wellington City Council which is leading the welfare response. Staff are onsite at the welfare centre at Newtown Park pavilion to look after those who have been affected. The residents have literally lost everything; maybe some just the keys to the door of their room. We thank the Wellington City Mission and the Salvation Army as well for their support on the ground. We will work hard to ensure that those affected have a roof over their head.Newtown is a microcosm of the Wellington region. The people who live there are a mix of working professionals newly arrived migrants refugees students young families retired people those living with the support of central and local government and our community agencies like the Salvation Army and City Mission. It is multicultural full of character and diversity. Whether you are the Governor-General in the grandest house or a newly arrived family fleeing a war zone overseas there is a place for you in Newtown. The community is strong; people look after each other and they love living there. This tragedy will hurt.Our thoughts are with those affected with the departed and with their friends and family. To those who have passed he aituā [a calamity]. Haere e ngā mate haere haere haere atu rā. E mihi aroha ki ngā whanua pani. [To the departed go on depart rest in peace. I greet with compassion those who are bereft.] Manuia lau malaga.