‘Someone else done it’: arson accused

WELLINGTON: A man has appeared in court charged with two counts of arson in relation to a fatal inferno at a Wellington hostel that killed at least six people.

The charges include one for setting fire to a couch on the third floor of Loafers Lodge hostel a few hours before the main fire broke out.

Fewer than 20 people remain unaccounted for, police say, after a fire ripped through the hostel in Newtown early on Tuesday.

On Thursday evening, police announced they had arrested a man who faced two charges of arson.

The 48yearold appeared in the Wellington District Court yesterday afternoon before Judge Jan Kelly.

Wearing a black hoodie and making hand gestures and wavy movements with his arms, the man stomped back and forth in the dock and told the court he did not commit the arson.

‘‘Someone else done it.’’

He pointed at his lawyer, Doug Ewen, and told him he was fired.

‘‘You’re fired, you’re not my lawyer,’’ he said.

The man was granted interim name suppression and is due to appear in court again on June 19.

Multiple media applications were made to photograph and film the man in court, but Judge Kelly said it was not appropriate yet and that identification of the man could prejudice his case.

The man was remanded in custody.

Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Dion Bennett said on Thursday evening the investigation into the fire was ongoing, but more serious charges in relation to the deaths had not been ruled out.

He was confident police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the fire.

Police earlier revealed they had been treating the deadly blaze as a homicide after the May 16 fire.

Police were still unable to give a definite death toll, but have said five bodies had been found.

Four had been removed from the scene on Thursday and yesterday.

Chief coroner Judge Anna Tutton said yesterday the disaster victim identification process was under way.

‘‘We can now start working with police and other specialists to determine the identification of those who have died.

‘‘As I have said, this identification process can be lengthy and complex, requiring a careful and methodical approach to ensure there are no mistakes,’’ Judge Tutton said.

‘‘I would like to reiterate to the families and friends of those who have died as a result of the fire that the victims will be treated with dignity and respect as we work through this challenging process and we will endeavour to return them to you as quickly as we can.’’ —