New Zealand’s women’s soccer team was temporarily evacuated from its hotel on Saturday after it caught fire. All players and staff are safe, New Zealand Football said in a statement.
The Football Ferns were reportedly evacuated through a stairwell and forced to go to a private dining room across the street. They had been staying at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland.
Firefighters called to the scene suspected suspicious activity, which is under investigation, according to the NZ 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 in a statement. “All of the team and staff are safe and accounted for.”
Four people were reportedly treated for smoke inhalation.
The World Cup co-hosts are coming off a 1-0 win over Norway in their opening match, an emotional affair for their first-ever World Cup victory. New Zealand is currently second in Group A and next plays the Philippines on Tuesday.