Wellington: On Friday, a 48-year-old homeless man was charged with two counts of arson after police in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, discovered a fifth body among the burned-out remnants of a hostel.
Early on Tuesday, a fire broke out on the top floor of the Loafers Lodge in the Newtown suburb, resulting in significant structural damage that is impeding recovery efforts.
The death toll was at least six, New Zealand Fire and Emergency confirmed earlier this week. However, Inspector Dion Bennett, acting Wellington police district commander, stated that as of this point, only five bodies had been identified and fewer than 10 people were still missing.
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Bennett said at a press conference on Friday, "We remain reluctant to confirm the specific number of deceased until we have thoroughly examined all parts of the building."
The hostel offered housing for a variety of people, including hospital and construction workers, as well as those receiving sickness and disability benefits and some serving community sentences for misdemeanour crimes.
A 48-year-old man briefly appeared in Wellington District Court on Friday afternoon. His name has been withheld at least until his upcoming court appearance. In the docks, he gave off the impression of being agitated while dancing and gesticulating to the media while donning a black hooded sweatshirt over his head.
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He shouted, "Someone else did it," before the judge ordered him to be quiet. He added that since bail was not going to be granted, he was firing his attorney.
He is still being represented by his attorney. He was kept behind bars until the following month. Additional charges might be brought.
Bennett stated that despite ongoing efforts to make the building safer, police had not yet entered certain areas because of the danger posed by structural problems.
"The scene examination will continue over the weekend, and we hope to recover the fifth person as quickly as we can," Bennett said
