The women’s World Cup squad from New Zealand was temporarily evacuated from its hotel in Auckland on Saturday due to a fire.
It was not immediately apparent what sparked it, but a Fire and Emergency official told the media that there had been multiple blazes at the hotel, which had now been extinguished.
According to the spokesperson, some people at the hotel were treated for smoke inhalation but no one was seriously injured.
“The upper floors were affected by smoke but the situation was swiftly brought under control”, a hotel staff member told the media.
The fire department stated that it was not considered suspicious.
“New Zealand Football can confirm that the Football Ferns team and staff have been temporarily evacuated from the Pullman Hotel, their team base for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, due to a fire”, the governing body said in a statement.
“Everyone on the team and staff is safe and sound”, the statement reads.
New Zealand, which is co-hosting the World Cup with Australia, defeated Norway 1-0 in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday.
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