Deadly hostel fire: Five bodies found, accused appears in court

Police are still unable to give a definite death toll from the Loafers Lodge fire, but have confirmed that five bodies have been found, four of which have been removed from the scene. The update came after a man appeared in court charged with two counts of arson in relation to the blaze. 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. The fire ripped through the Loafers Lodge hostel in Newtown, Wellington, early on Tuesday. Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton said this afternoon the disaster victim identification process was now under way for the victims.