Deadly NZ hostel blaze being treated as arson, say police

Police in New Zealand are treating the deadly hostel fire that killed at least six people at Wellington's Loafers Lodge as arson, launching a homicide investigation into the blaze.

"I can confirm that we are treating the fire as arson," Inspector Dion Bennett, the acting Wellington district commander, said on Wednesday afternoon, adding that "because it is an arson with deaths involved, it is homicide inquiry".

He also confirmed police have a list of people they want to speak to in relation to the fire, but didn't say who they were.

While six people have been confirmed dead, Bennett said there are less than 20 people who remain unaccounted for.

"Our reconciliation teams have been working fast and accurately today," he said.

"I can say that we have accounted for 92 people and that the number still to be accounted for is less than 20."

A small reconnaissance team of police officers has entered Loafers Lodge after the fire tore through it in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but a more extensive search of the building isn't expected to start until tomorrow.

Bennett's comments came after he had confirmed earlier on Wednesday that there had been a couch fire at Loafers Lodge about two hours before the separate, deadly blaze, and that police are investigating any link between the two.

"There was a couch fire at Loafers Lodge at around 10.30pm on Monday night, prior to the fatal fire which occurred around two hours later," he said.

"The couch fire was not reported to emergency services at the time.

"As part of our enquiries, we will be seeking to confirm any link between that couch fire and the subsequent fatal fire."

Bennett warned at the time it could take days before the building is completely examined.

"This scene examination will be an extensive and methodical process, and we expect it to take some time – likely several days," he said.

"Alongside the scene examination, officers will be working to locate and recover those who lost their lives in the fire.

"We know there are many people waiting for news of family and friends – including the residents who escaped the fire and are keenly waiting for news of their fellow tenants.

"I again want to provide the reassurance that we have a large number of officers working on this investigation, with the aim of providing them the answers they need as quickly as possible."

While there were no fire sprinklers in Loafers Lodge before Monday night's devastating blaze, Wellington City Council confirmed yesterday the building passed an independent safety inspection just two months ago.

"The Loafers Lodge has a Building Warrant of Fitness issued in March this year," the council said in a statement.

"There were no concerns raised by the independently qualified person who inspected and tested the life safety systems in the building."

While new buildings are required to install sprinkler systems, older ones like the hostel are exempt from having to retroactively fit them, however Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the fire could lead to a review of the country's building regulations.

Hipkins told reporters on Wednesday he has asked Housing Minister Megan Woods to look into "issues around building regulation", although said any government review would need to wait until after the current police investigation of the hostel.

"What comes out of their work, of course, will inform decisions about what a future review might look like."

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