Police have filed five murder charges in relation to the Loafers Lodge fire. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Wellington police have filed five murder charges in relation to the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge in Newtown.
In a statement, Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Dion Bennett said a 48-year-old man who had already been remanded in custody on two counts of arson was now also facing the additional charges.
The victims' families had been advised and police were continuing to ensure they were supported through this process, he said.
Police are handing the scene at Loafers Lodge over to Fire and Emergency NZ on Thursday, he said.
Once FENZ have completed their work, the site will then be handed to Wellington City Council and the building owner.
Bennett thanked FENZ and the council for their cooperation and assistance during the investigation, as well as local residents and businesses who had been impacted since the fire occurred.
A dawn karakia would take place on Friday for the staff involved in this operation, he said.
"Once the building is returned to the owner, we understand they plan to facilitate any return of personal property from the building in cases where rooms and/or items have not been destroyed or contaminated by fire."
There was no current timeline for this, and would require the owner to do their own due diligence in terms of safety, he said.