Wellington Region

Fire and Emergency's chief executive has spoken to media about concerns over the organisation's equipment in the wake of the hostel fire on Tuesday.

They have been recording all the problems with a fire truck with a long ladder that has spent just 45 days in operation in almost three years.

Residents of the Wellington hostel are struggling to piece their lives back together as they come to grips with losing everything in Tuesday morning's blaze.

The fatal fire at Loafers Lodge is being treated as arson, and Police Inspector Dion Bennett says due to that, it is also a homicide inquiry.

Loafers Lodge Greg Mein says himself, the management, the family of the owner - "everyone" - is "gutted" by the fire.

Fire and Emergency have handed the scene of the Loafers Lodge fire over to police, who say they are treating it as suspicious.

A fire engineer who has studied boarding house risks says the safety rules are too slack and need tightening. Audio

Local agencies are assisting dozens of people made homeless by the fire at Loafers Lodge in Newtown.

Up to 10 people are dead after a devastating fire ripped through Loafers Lodge in Wellington in the early hours. Here is what we know so far.

Investigations are underway into what went wrong in evacuating Wellington's Loafers Lodge last night.

Wellington's mayor Tory Whanau says thousands of dollars have already been raised to support those affected by the Loafers Lodge inferno. Follow the latest developments here

Tory Whanau wants emergency personnel upset by what they saw inside Loafers Lodge to know they saved "so many people".

FENZ assistant national commander Bruce Stubbs says at this stage there are "six people inside" the Loafers Lodge - but they haven't been able to search all of the building due to extensive damage.

Residents who escaped an early morning fire at their hostel have spoken of the frightening moments they realised they needed to get out. These are their stories.

Images and video of the fire that broke out in the 92-room Wellington hostel show the extent of the massive fire, described by a fire chief as a worst nightmare scenario.

Politicians visiting the scene of the fire in Wellington today have praised first responders and signalled inquiries into regulations could come at a later stage.

Chris Hipkins says New Zealanders have woken up to the tragic news of the events that have been unfolding in the Wellington region as a result of a fatal fire.

The Wellington businessman is the sole listed owner of Titanium Trustee Management, which went into receivership in mid-March.