16 Feb 2024

Details of hearing over Loafers Lodge blaze suppressed

11:13 am on 16 February 2024
Fire and Emergency use a skylift to assess damage to Loafers Lodge following a fatal fire on 16 May, 2023.

Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

A man charged with murder after a blaze at Loafers Lodge in Wellington has appeared in court.

The man, who has name suppression, appeared via an audio-visual link in the High Court on Friday.

Five people died at the multi-storey budget accommodation in May last year.

The man is also charged with two counts of arson.

He is yet to enter any plea.

Everything discussed at Friday's hearing was suppressed.

The next hearing for the case is scheduled for 11 March.