Wellington hostel fire

The four-storey building was constructed in 1971 as a multi-storey 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] as it was not required by the Building Code.[8]

A fire broke out on the top floor of the 92-room lodge around 12:25 am (NZST).[7] Earlier in the night, a couch fire occurred about two hours before the later fire and was not reported to authorities.[9] It was initially unclear how many people were in the hostel when the fire occurred,[10] however, 52 people were evacuated from the building and at least five were rescued from the roof by Fire and Emergency.[11] Later reports stated that there were 92 people had been evacuated from the hostel and fewer then 20 people were counted as missing.[12]

A long term resident of the hostel, stated that he had noticed the fire while heading back to his room from the bathroom, and that the smoke, crowds and darkness was disorienting before he was able to escape out a stairwell. Other residents stated that due to multiple false fire alarms throughout the past months, they were delayed in responding and evacuating.[5]

The acting Wellington district commander Inspector Dion Bennett, stated that prior to the first set of remains being removed from the hostel, a karakia would be performed at the site.[12]

On 17 May 2023, police announced they were treating the fire as arson and had launched a homicide inquiry.[13] At the time, police would not say whether accelerants were used in the fire or why they believe it was deliberately lit.[14] On 18 May, 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, where he entered no plea and was remanded in custody until 19 June. Police did not rule out further charges.[2][15]

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called the fire an absolute tragedy.[16] He said that the government will investigate whether regulations for high density accommodation are fit for purpose.[17]

Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said the fire was absolutely devastating.[11] Wellington mayor Tory Whanau called the fire "one of the darkest days in the city".[18]