Loafers Lodge fire explained

Loafers Lodge fire
Venue:Loafers Lodge
Location:Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
Coordinates:-41.3067°N 174.7777°W
Type:Fire
Cause:Unknown (suspected arson)
Reported Deaths:5
Reported Injuries:20
Reported Property Damage:Fire damage, partial collapse of building
Arrests:1

On 16 May 2023, a fire broke out at the 92-bed Loafers Lodge in Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand. Five people were killed, and twenty others injured.[1] On 18 May 2023, a man was arrested.[2] He was charged with arson and murder.

Background

The four-storey building was constructed in 1971 as an office and warehouse building called Mertex House. Since 2006, the building has been occupied by Loafers Lodge.[3]

The building previously served as a place of emergency residential housing contracted by the New Zealand Government.[4] A deportee advocate said the hostel was used by Prison Aid and Rehabilitation, and by the government to house deportees returned from Australia.[5]

The building's Warrant of Fitness (BWoF) was renewed in March 2023. BWoF records show the building had a "type 3" fire alarm system (automatic system with heat detectors and manual call points) supplemented by smoke detectors.[6] Fire sprinklers were not installed in the building,[7] nor were they required to be installed by the building code. A fire engineer was quoted as saying the rules were "too slack and need tightening".[8] [9]

Incident

A fire broke out on the top floor of the 92-room lodge around 12:25am (NZST). Earlier in the night, a couch fire occurred about two hours before the later fire; it was not reported to authorities.[10] It was initially unclear how many people were in the hostel when the fire occurred,[11] however, 52 people were evacuated from the building and at least five were rescued from the roof by Fire and Emergency.[12] Later reports stated that there were 92 people who had been evacuated from the hostel and fewer than 20 people were counted as missing.[13]

A long-term resident of the hostel said that he had noticed the fire while heading back to his room from the bathroom, and that the smoke, crowds and darkness were disorienting before he was able to escape via a stairwell. Other residents said that, due to multiple false fire alarms throughout the past months, there were delays in responding and evacuating.

Victims

The five deceased victims were identified as: Kenneth Barnard, 67;[14] Liam James Hockings, 50; Peter Glenn O'Sullivan, 64;[15] Melvin Joseph Parun, 68; and Mike Eric Wahrlich (known as Mike the Juggler), 67.[16] It was reported that Parun was the brother of tennis player Onny Parun.

Investigation and legal proceedings

On 17 May 2023, police announced they were treating the fire as arson and had launched a homicide inquiry.[17] At the time, police would not say whether accelerants were used on the fire or why they believe it was deliberately lit.[18]

On 18 May 2023, a 48-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of arson. He was arraigned in the Wellington District Court on 19 May 2023, where he entered no plea and was remanded in custody until 19 June 2023. The man's name was suppressed until his next appearance.[19] [20] On 1 June, he was charged with five counts of murder.[21]

On 23 June, Judge Christine Grice of the Wellington High Court granted the murder suspect name suppression until mid-August 2023. The suspect's trial is scheduled to take place in August 2024.[22] [23]

On 21 March 2024, the suspect's lawyer Louise Sziranyi confirmed that the defendant would plead not guilty to the murder charges on the grounds of insanity.[24]

Reactions

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called the fire an absolute tragedy.[25] He said that the government will investigate whether regulations for high density accommodation are fit for purpose.[26] [27]

Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said the fire was absolutely devastating. Wellington mayor Tory Whanau called the fire "one of the darkest days in the city".[28]

Aftermath

By 7 June, the Wellington City Mission had raised NZ$360,000 for residents who had lost possessions during the fire. However, only NZ$92,000 of this amount had been given out to displaced residents who received an initial payment of NZ$500, followed by a further payment of NZ$1,000.[29]

On 15 June, hundreds of people attended a remembrance ceremony at Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul for the victims.[30]

On 23 June, lawyers representing displaced residents filed an interim injunction to stop the owners from demolishing the structure in order to retrieve their belongings. Residents had previously been told that the building would be demolished and their possessions would be dumped due to the risk of toxic contamination. Under the injunction, residents will be allowed to conduct their own inspection to determine if their belongings could be retrieved. The owner would also have to take action to prevent further damage to the residents' belongings and would have to provide daily updates.[31]

By late March 2024, Community Law senior lawyer Oscar Upperton confirmed that recovery professionals had managed to return several salvageable possessions including family photos and memorabilia to displaced tenants. Due to water, fire damage and asbestos contamination, some items were irrecoverable. Upperton also confirmed that the tenants and landlord were working on minor issues related to the recovery process that was expected to be settled soon.[32]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hostel fire: Hearse arrives as police recover two bodies. 18 May 2023. NZ Herald. 18 May 2023. 18 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230518072852/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-hostel-fire-hearse-arrives-as-police-recover-first-body/P4WWETXKSVEHXCPGJEFHCQQT34/. live.
  2. News: Man charged with two counts of arson after fatal hostel fire . 18 May 2023 . NZ Herald . 18 May 2023 . en-NZ . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518095053/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/loafers-lodge-fire-man-charged-with-two-counts-of-arson-after-fatal-wellington-blaze/VDEK5LSRXRDUXGLRXIPH64EWNA/ . live .
  3. Web site: Sharpe . Marty . 2023-05-15 . Wellington fatal hostel fire: What is Loafers Lodge? . 2023-05-16 . Stuff . en . 16 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516055301/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300879640/wellington-fatal-hostel-fire-what-is-loafers-lodge . live .
  4. News: McClure . Tess . 2023-05-16 . New Zealand hostel fire: at least six dead and 11 missing in Wellington blaze . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-16 . 0261-3077 . 16 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516042104/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/16/wellington-hostel-fire-multiple-people-dead-in-new-zealand-blaze . live .
  5. Web site: 2023-05-16 . 'I knew I had to jump': What it was like inside Loafers Lodge when fire broke out . 2023-05-18 . Stuff . en . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518202824/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/132051487/i-knew-i-had-to-jump-what-it-was-like-inside-loafers-lodge-when-fire-broke-out . live .
  6. Web site: 2023-05-16 . Loafers Lodge had a building WOF, but what exactly does that mean? . 2023-05-17 . RNZ . en-nz . 17 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517233830/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/490033/loafers-lodge-had-a-building-wof-but-what-exactly-does-that-mean . live .
  7. News: 2023-05-15 . Live: 'Tragic event for all involved': Crews on scene after Wellington hostel fire leaves at least six dead . en-AU . ABC News . 2023-05-15 . 15 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515234502/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-16/wellington-new-zealand-hostel-fire-live-blog/102349940 . live .
  8. Web site: 17 May 2023 . Loafers Lodge fire engineer wants safety rules revamped . Radio NZ . 29 May 2023 . 29 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529120817/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/490019/loafers-lodge-fire-engineer-wants-safety-rules-revamped . live .
  9. Web site: Coughlan . Thomas . 16 May 2023 . Why Loafers Lodge didn't have sprinklers - and firefighter fears over ageing trucks . subscription . 2023-05-16 . NZ Herald . en-NZ . 16 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516100723/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/why-loafers-lodge-didnt-have-sprinklers-and-wellington-firefighters-fears-over-ageing-trucks/UJ6L4RSWHBDIRKQ7OYDSFCZRSU/ . live .
  10. Web site: Perry . Nick . 17 May 2023 . New Zealand police to remove bodies from hostel where at least 6 died in fire . 2023-05-18 . ABC News . en . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518202824/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/new-zealand-police-hostel-fire-killed-6-arson-99384388 . live .
  11. Web site: Arias . Tatiana . Subramaniam . Tara . 2023-05-16 . At least six dead after fire engulfs hostel in New Zealand capital . 2023-05-16 . CNN . en-us . 16 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516131656/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/15/asia/new-zealand-wellington-hostel-fire-intl/index.html . live .
  12. Web site: 2023-05-16 . Fatal Wellington hostel fire: Fire alarms did not sound at scene, resident says . 2023-05-16 . RNZ . en-nz . 16 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516005021/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/489986/fatal-wellington-hostel-fire-fire-alarms-did-not-sound-at-scene-resident-says . live .
  13. Web site: Chin . Frances . 2023-05-18 . 'Debris piled high': Police remove two bodies at fatal Loafers Lodge fire scene . 2023-05-18 . Stuff . en . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518202825/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300882306/debris-piled-high-police-remove-two-bodies-at-fatal-loafers-lodge-fire-scene . live .
  14. News: 25 May 2023 . Two more Loafers Lodge fire victims named by police . . TVNZ. 28 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230525051756/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/05/25/kindly-man-uncle-and-brother-named-as-loafers-lodge-fire-victim/ . 25 May 2023. live .
  15. News: 23 May 2023 . Wellington hostel fire: Three victims of Loafers Lodge blaze named . . 28 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526142617/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/490501/wellington-hostel-fire-three-victims-of-loafers-lodge-blaze-named . 26 May 2023. live .
  16. News: Hunt . Tom . 22 May 2023 . Street identity 'Mike the Juggler' among Loafers Lodge fire victims . . live . 24 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522074308/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/132105622/street-identity-mike-the-juggler-among-loafers-lodge-fire-victims . 22 May 2023.
  17. Web site: Chin . Frances . 2023-05-17 . Police confirm arson investigation as teams move into Loafers Lodge . 2023-05-17 . Stuff . en . 17 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517082038/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/132065845/police-confirm-arson-investigation-as-teams-move-into-loafers-lodge . live .
  18. News: Charlotte . Graham-McLay . 2023-05-17 . Deadly Wellington hostel fire being treated as arson, police say . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-17 . 17 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517094259/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/17/deadly-wellington-hostel-fire-treated-arson-new-zealand-police . live .
  19. News: Graham-McLay . Charlotte . 2023-05-19 . New Zealand hostel fire: suspect remanded in custody after Wellington court appearance . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-22 . 0261-3077 . 22 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522113310/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/19/wellington-hostel-fire-suspect-remanded-in-custody-court-new-zealand-nz-loafers-lodge-newtown . live .
  20. Web site: 2023-05-19 . Man charged over fatal Loafers Lodge fire tries to sack lawyer . 2023-05-19 . Stuff . en . 19 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519032651/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/132085866/man-charged-over-fatal-loafers-lodge-fire-tries-to-sack-lawyer . live .
  21. News: Loafers Lodge fire: Man charged with five counts of murder . 1 June 2023 . NZ Herald . 1 June 2023 . en-NZ . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601053330/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/loafers-lodge-fire-man-charged-with-five-counts-of-murder/CK5TO2EHSZGXZPUQV5CNFY22L4/ . live .
  22. News: Nightingale . Melissa . Loafers Lodge alleged murderer’s name to stay secret for at least two months . 24 June 2023 . . 23 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624060032/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/loafers-lodge-alleged-arsonist-name-to-stay-secret-for-at-least-two-months/WFZLGMNQ7FAPHMO37WTPX37ODQ/ . live .
  23. News: Frykberg . Laura . Loafers Lodge fire: Name suppression continues for accused arsonist . 24 June 2023 . . . 23 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624060034/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/23/loafers-lodge-fire-name-suppression-continues-for-accused-arsonist/ . live .
  24. News: Nightingale . Melissa . Loafers Lodge murder accused will claim defence of insanity, pleads not guilty . 28 March 2024 . . 22 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240321214009/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/loafers-lodge-murder-accused-will-claim-defence-of-insanity-pleads-not-guilty/PUSM4WBB4BGPDDAMUTUUJ4ZFLM/ . 21 March 2024. live.
  25. News: Sullivan . Helen . 2023-05-15 . Wellington hostel fire latest news: six people dead and many missing in New Zealand blaze . en-GB . the Guardian . 2023-05-15 . 0261-3077 . 15 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515233133/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/may/16/wellington-hostel-fire-loafers-loodge-new-zealand-people-dead-missing-blaze-latest-news . live .
  26. News: Government to review building regulations for high density accommodation . 18 May 2023 . RNZ . 17 May 2023 . en-nz . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518100749/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/490083/government-to-review-building-regulations-for-high-density-accommodation . live .
  27. Web site: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on fatal Wellington hostel fire; it is a horrific situation . Stuff/Fairfax . 16 May 2023 . 29 May 2023 . 29 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529120809/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/489987/prime-minister-chris-hipkins-on-fatal-wellington-hostel-fire-it-is-a-horrific-situation . live .
  28. News: 2023-05-16 . A 'dark day' for Wellington - Mayor on tragic hostel fire . en-NZ . 1News . 2023-05-16 . 16 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516130123/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/05/16/a-dark-day-for-wellington-mayor-on-tragic-hostel-fire/ . live .
  29. News: City Mission pays extra $1000 to Loafers Lodge residents displaced by deadly fire . 24 June 2023 . . 7 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624053143/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/491527/city-mission-pays-extra-1000-to-loafers-lodge-residents-displaced-by-deadly-fire . live .
  30. News: Hickman . Bill . Loafers Lodge fire: 'I think we are all responsible - not just the owners' - Social worker . 24 June 2023 . . 16 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624053136/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/492069/loafers-lodge-fire-i-think-we-are-all-responsible-not-just-the-owners-social-worker . live .
  31. News: Ex-Loafers Lodge residents gain legal reprieve over belongings . 24 June 2023 . . 23 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624053121/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/492523/ex-loafers-lodge-residents-gain-legal-reprieve-over-belongings . live .
  32. News: More recovered possessions returned to victims of Wellington's Loafers Lodge fire . 28 March 2024 . . 26 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240326071712/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/512737/more-recovered-possessions-returned-to-victims-of-wellington-s-loafers-lodge-fire . 26 March 2024. live.

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