Wellington Apartment Evacuated Following Fire

An apartment building in central Wellington, New Zealand, was evacuated on Monday evening, March 16, 2026, after a fire broke out on the third floor. One person was seriously injured and transported to a hospital for treatment.

Details of the Incident

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) received an alert about the fire at approximately 5:45 PM. Five fire trucks, two aerial appliances, a command unit, and a breathing apparatus tender were dispatched to the scene.

Crews responded from Wellington, Thorndon, Brooklyn, Kilbirnie, and Karori fire stations, according to FENZ. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the apartment block was evacuated as a precaution.

Fire investigators, along with police and ambulance personnel, are currently on site investigating the cause of the fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is New Zealand’s main firefighting and emergency services body. Established on July 1, 2017, FENZ was formed through the amalgamation of the New Zealand Fire Service, the National Rural Fire Authority, and 38 rural fire districts and territorial authorities [1].

FENZ is responsible for fire safety, firefighting, responding to hazardous substance incidents, vehicle extrication, and urban search and rescue operations nationwide [1].

As of 2021-2022, FENZ responded to 87,383 calls and employed 4,098 staff, including 1,767 career firefighters and 8,701 volunteer firefighters [1].

Wellington City Station

The Wellington City Station is one of the stations operated by FENZ, responding to fires, medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, search and rescue operations, and civil defense and natural disaster responses [2]. The station too conducts fire prevention and school education programs [2].

Ongoing Storm-Related Issues

Crews from Wellington FENZ are also responding to storm-related issues throughout the Greater Wellington Region. Residents are advised to stay safe, stay home, and call 111 in case of emergencies involving life or property [3].