Sports

Women's World Cup: New Zealand's team evacuated after hotel fire

The national Women's World Cup team, or the Football Ferns, was evacuated after a fire broke out at their hotel in Auckland

New Zealand's Women's World Cup team (photo: DW)
New Zealand's Women's World Cup team (photo: DW) 

New Zealand's Women's World Cup team was evacuated briefly on Saturday after several small fires broke out at their hotel in Auckland, local media reported.

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All team members are accounted for and safe, authorities said.

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Police charged a 34-year-old man with burglary and arson, the Associated Press reported.

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New Zealand and Australia are co-hosting the ninth edition of the Women's World Cup. Saturday's fire was the second security incident in the three days since the World Cup tournament began.

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A rare shooting in Auckland hours before the official opening of the competition at a construction site in Auckland had raised concerns among officials and the public.

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But there was no indication the shooting was tied to the game.

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A moment of silence for the victims was held before New Zealand defeated Norway 1-0 in the first match on July 20.

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What do we know about the incident at the hotel?

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At about 7:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT/UTC) Saturday, the national women's football team, or the Football Ferns, was evacuated from the Pullman Hotel in downtown Auckland.

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Four people were treated for smoke inhalation, according to the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

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Police said they considered the fire to be suspicious, but no other details were disclosed.

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The New Zealand team will continue group games at the tournament on Tuesday with a match against the Philippines in Wellington.

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Edited by: Alex Berry

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