WELLINGTON, March 22, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The man accused of starting a hostel
fire that killed five people in New Zealand last year pleaded not guilty to
their murders in court on Friday.

The blaze last May engulfed the four-storey, 92-room Loafers Lodge hostel in
Wellington city centre, causing such extensive damage that it took police two
weeks to examine the building.

The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to two
counts of arson in addition to the five counts of murder, an official at
Wellington High Court told AFP. It was the first time a plea had been
entered.

The suspect's lawyer said that a defence of insanity would be used during the
trial, which starts in August.

On top of the alleged murders, the suspect is also charged with starting a
sofa fire inside the hostel, and with setting the building itself alight a
few hours later.

The scale of the fire shocked the country, with then-prime minister Chris
Hipkins describing it at the time as an "absolute tragedy".

Some survivors had to crawl through thick smoke in the dark of night to
escape, while firefighters had to rescue others from the rooftop.

Loafers Lodge advertised itself as a "convenient and affordable"
accommodation, and was home to a mix of long- and short-term residents,
including some on lower incomes or those staying temporarily in New Zealand.