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A blaze broke out on the top floor of the Loafers Lodge in the
suburb of Newtown in the early hours of Tuesday, causing major
structural damage that is hampering recovery efforts.
New Zealand Fire and Emergency earlier this week confirmed the
death toll was at least six, however Inspector Dion Bennett,
acting Wellington police district commander, said that at this
stage just five bodies had been identified and less than 10
people were unaccounted for.
“Until we have fully examined all parts of the building we
remain reluctant to confirm the specific number of deceased,”
Bennett said at press conference on Friday.
The hostel provided accommodation for people including
construction workers, hospital staff, but also for those on
sickness and disability benefits and some were serving sentences
in the community for minor crimes.
A 48-year-old man, who has his name suppressed until at least
his next court appearance, appeared in Wellington District Court
briefly on Friday afternoon. He appeared agitated in the docks,
wearing a black hooded sweatshirt over his head and dancing and
making hand gestures to the media.
“Someone else done it,” he yelled before being asked by the
judge to quieten down. He also said he was firing his lawyer
given bail was not going to be granted.
His lawyer continue to represent him. He was remanded in jail
until next month. Further charges are possible.
Bennett said police had yet to make it into parts of the
building as it remain dangerous due to structural issues that
work to make it safer was ongoing.
“The scene examination will continue over the weekend and we
hope to recover the fifth person as quickly as we can,” Bennett
said.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Michael Perry)
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