Marae to the rescue after late-night hostel fire left scores of tourists stranded

A late-night fire in the basement of a Hamilton hostel left 47 tourists stranded on the street.

With seemingly nowhere to rest their heads for the night, a Māori warden put a call in to a nearby marae and soon the weary travellers had a roof over their heads and a cuppa in hand.

Fire broke out in the basement of the Central Backpackers building on Victoria St about 10pm on Monday and firefighters were at the scene for about three hours.

And although the fire hadn’t fully taken hold, it left the building uninhabitable.

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Senior Sergeant Chris McRae said police had been making attempts to find accommodation for the tourists after the blaze, but were running out of options.

“We had 46-48 tourists standing on the footpath with nowhere to go at midnight while the fire was being put out and they could not return.

“It looks like it will be shut for some time now due to damage.”

Head of the Kirikiriroa Māori Wardens Gloria Dornan contacted Hui Te Rangiora Marae, and its caretaker was roused from sleep just after midnight.

Dennis Rangi opened the Marae meeting house, which was set up with mattresses, and bedding for the tourists to sleep – as well as hot cups of tea.

Police and Fire and Emergency determined the fire was not suspicious, a police statement said.