Multiple people have been killed and 52 people have been evacuated overnight from a burning hostel in central Wellington, New Zealand.

It’s believed the blaze broke out at the Loafers’ Lodge in Newtown soon after midnight local time (10pm AEST).

The New Zealand Herald understands there is speculation that the fire may have been deliberately lit.

Deputy Leader of the NZ National Party, Nicola Willis, told Ben Fordham, “We won’t know how many fatalities there have been until later today.”

“The hostel was being used as an emergency accommodation centre for people to sleep on a temporary basis,” she said.

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Image: 9News