New Zealand Women's National Team Forced to Evacuate 2023 World Cup Hotel Due to Fire
The New Zealand women's national team was forced to evacuate their team hotel in Auckland at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup due to a fire, the New Zealand Football Federation said in a statement to David Williams of the New Zealand Herald.
"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 federation said.
The team was forced to exit the building through a stairwell that contained thick smoke, according to Williams. Four people were treated for smoke inhalation, though it's unclear if any of those treated were players.
The incident comes after the Football Ferns upset Norway 1-0 on a goal by Hannah Wilkinson in their World Cup opener on Thursday, which was their first-ever victory in the tournament.
That win came just hours after a gunman opened fire at an Auckland CBD building being renovated in the city's downtown area, leaving at least two dead and several others injured. The shooting occurred near the Women's World Cup fan zone.
New Zealand will be back in action for their second game of the group stage on Tuesday against the Philippines.
