New Zealand / Emergency Services

Police to finish Loafers Lodge scene examination on Friday

17:28 pm on 31 May 2023

Police say investigators have now accounted for all 99 people who were known to have been resident at Loafers Lodge when the fire occurred. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Police investigating the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington expect to finish the scene examination on Friday.

A police spokesperson has confirmed the total number of dead is five.

The victims of the fire were Michael Wahrlich, 67, of Wellington who was known to many Wellingtonians as 'Mike the Juggler'; Melvin Joseph Parun, 68; Peter Glenn O'Sullivan, 64; Kenneth Barnard, 67; and Liam Hockings, 50.

Investigators have now accounted for all 99 people who were known to have been resident at the Newtown boarding house at the time of the fire on 16 May.

The scene examination - as it relates to the criminal and Coronial investigation - is expected to wrap up on Friday.

After that, the site will be blessed and handed over to Fire and Emergency.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that a public remembrance service for the victims of the Wellington Loafers Lodge fire will be held next month.

The service, on 15 June at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, will mark a month on from the fire which killed five people.

It is being organised by the Cathedral, the Wellington City Mission and the city council.

Mayor Tory Whanau said it was an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives and homes.