THE SQUIZ

New Zealanders woke up yesterday to news of a horror fire engulfing a hostel in Wellington and images of flames leaping from the windows of the top storey. Loafers Lodge was full, with close to 94 people inside, when the fire broke out around 12.25am on Tuesday morning. Authorities have confirmed most residents escaped, but at least 6 people are dead and the toll may rise. Reports say that Loafers Lodge housed long and short-term residents, including older people. It was also home to shift workers and migrant nurses, as well as vulnerable and transient people, including some on community sentences.

WHAT HAPPENED? 

The fire is currently being treated as suspicious, but investigators haven’t been able to access the Lodge due to structural concerns. Just on that, neighbours in the central Wellington area have been advised to shut their windows and wear masks due to the risk of asbestos in the air. There are stories of close escapes from those staying there and questions about the building’s safety standards, including the lack of sprinklers, which are recommended but not required for older buildings in New Zealand. Yesterday, the local council confirmed that the building passed an inspection earlier this year. “This is our worst nightmare. It doesn’t get worse than this,” said Nick Pyatt from Wellington’s Fire and Emergency Department.

WHAT’S NEXT?Kiwi officials say they’re focussing on dealing with the scene, but once investigators can enter the building later today they’ve promised a “slow and methodical” investigation. Yesterday, PM Anthony Albanese offered Australia’s assistance if we could be helpful. And if the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel fire in Queensland in 2000 or the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London are anything to go by, there will be extensive inquiries and potentially criminal charges. Australia and the UK also introduced new fire safety regulations following those tragedies, and the adequacy of New Zealand’s laws has also been raised.