Five died in horror hostel blaze after ‘man set fire to sofa and building’

The man accused of igniting a fatal fire at a Wellington hostel two weeks ago now faces five murder charges, as filed by the New Zealand police on Thursday. Initially, the police had pressed charges of arson against the 48-year-old suspect, alleging that he had set fire to both a couch and the hostel itself. Since his arrest two days after the incident, he has remained in custody.

On the night of May 16, the fire engulfed the four-story Loafers Lodge hostel, where more than 100 guests were staying.

As the blaze erupted shortly after midnight, some occupants managed to escape in their nightwear, while others were rescued by firefighters from the roof or resorted to jumping out of windows.

The fire caused significant damage, leading to parts of the roof and a floor collapsing into a heap of rubble.

Emergency officials stated that the building lacked fire sprinklers, which are not mandatory in many older structures.

In response, New Zealand legislators are reviewing building regulations to determine if amendments are necessary.

Among the victims who lost their lives in the fire was 67-year-old Mike Wahrlich, a well-known street performer in Wellington who was affectionately known as Mike the Juggler.

A judge has granted the defendant temporary name suppression, a customary procedure in the New Zealand legal system.

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As of now, the accused has not entered a plea for the arson charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Should he be convicted on the murder charges, he would face life imprisonment.

During his initial court appearance on May 19, the defendant attempted to dismiss his lawyer, but the lawyer later confirmed that he still represented the accused.

Inspector Dion Bennett announced that the police concluded their investigation at the fire-ravaged hostel on Thursday, returning the scene to the jurisdiction of the fire authorities.

“Police would like to acknowledge the residents of Wellington who have been affected by this tragedy, and we hope that today’s upgraded charges will be welcomed,” Bennett said in a statement.

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