Manus fire takes toll

A DELIBERATELY lit fire on Manus Island has caused significant damage to an accommodation block housing failed asylum seekers.

The blaze took 75 minutes to bring under control after it was started at Hillside Haus in Lorengau on Sunday afternoon. Australian Border Force deputy commissioner Mandy Newton said the extent of the damage remained unclear.

“However, early indications are that the whole building is impacted and is now unserviceable,” Ms Newton told a Senate estimates hearing.