Kenneth Barnard, 67, was one of the victims of the Wellington fire. Photo: Supplied
The names of two more victims who died in the Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington last week have been confirmed.
Kenneth Barnard, who was 67, and Liam Hockings, 50, have been confirmed as victims today.
The blaze ripped through the hostel in the suburb of Newtown in the early hours of last Tuesday morning. Police have now removed five bodies from the site but are yet to confirm a final death toll.
Hockings' family said in a statement released by police that they would like to "thank everyone for their support and kindness at this time."
Kenneth Barnard's family also released a statement through the police: "Kenneth was our brother, he was a funny little kid, a kindly boy who became a kindly man as he grew up.
"His nephews and nieces adored him. His phone calls were always caring, and he was very patient when teased, which some of us did every time the opportunity presented itself.
"Rest in peace dear brother, we will really miss you."
Police extended their condolences to his whānau and friends and said the investigation into the fire was continuing.
Police have released the names of three other men who died in the fire: Michael Wahrlich, 67, of Wellington who was known to many Wellingtonians as 'Mike the Juggler', Melvin Joseph Parun, who was 68 and Peter Glenn O'Sullivan, aged 64.
A man appeared at the Wellington District Court on Friday charged with two counts of arson - one in relation to a couch fire on the third floor of the hostel on the Monday night before the major fire and the second in relation to the blaze set on the building itself.