The inferno that claimed at least six lives in Wellington's Loafers Lodge is now being treated as an act of arson as police launch a homicide inquiry, authorities say.
Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Dion Bennett confirmed the development hours after police took control of the scene from fire crews.
"We are treating it as an arson. I'm not prepared to say why or the reasons for us treating it as arson other than to say that we are," he said.
"Because it's an arson. And because there are deaths involved, it is a homicide inquiry."
For some, this was the best they could get. (Source: 1News)
Earlier this afternoon, authorities confirmed reports of a couch fire in the hours leading up to the fatal tragedy, however, police have not said whether it caused the inferno.
Bennett said nobody had been arrested but that police were expecting to find people of interest that they would like to speak to.
"We do have a list of people that we want to speak to. I'm not prepared to say who they are or where they are. However, our investigation teams are working rapidly on that."
He said police had been able to begin their examination of the scene and that he saw photographs of the "extensive" damage in the building.
Mayor Tory Whanau and Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds joined Breakfast to discuss the blaze. (Source: Breakfast)
"On the third floor, in particular, the roof has collapsed. And in places, on the floor, piles of debris and burnt debris are stacked as high as one metre."
As of 4.30pm, the police inspector said the number of unaccounted people was currently fewer than 20, with 92 people accounted for.
At least six people are confirmed to have been killed due to the fire.
He said the bodies of people killed in the fire continued to be inside the building: "They still lie in situ and reiterate we still haven't been able to confirm the number.
"The scene examination will be extensive and methodical, and we expect it to take some time, likely several days given the large size of the building."
Couch fire reports confirmed
This afternoon, police released new details about the events that led up to the fiery inferno early on Tuesday morning.
In a statement, Bennett confirmed media reports that there had been a couch fire earlier in the evening but did not say whether it had ultimately caused the inferno.
"Police have confirmed that there was a couch fire at Loafers Lodge at around 10.30pm on Monday night, prior to the fatal fire, which occurred around two hours later.
"The couch fire was not reported to emergency services at the time.
"As part of our enquiries, we will be seeking to confirm any link between that couch fire and the subsequent fatal fire," the police inspector said.
Stuff and Newshub reported yesterday on speculation from residents that there had been couch fires lit in the preceding hours to the fatal blaze.
Bennett said the scene of the crime has just been handed over to police after being in control of Fire and Emergency overnight.
Multiple people died in a blaze that broke out at a Wellington hostel just after midnight. (Source: Seven Sharp)
"While we will continue to work closely with FENZ and other partners, police are now the lead agency in relation to the fire investigation, and we can confirm that we are treating the fire as suspicious," the police inspector said.
He said he hoped officers would be able to enter the building for a scene examination later this afternoon after a health and safety assessment.
Bennett said a "large number of officers" were working on the investigation and that police believed there were other residents that could help.
"Alongside the scene examination, officers will be working to locate and recover those who lost their lives in the fire," he said.
"I again want to provide the reassurance that we have a large number of officers working on this investigation, with the aim of providing them the answers they need as quickly as possible."
She said the six deaths caused a "rippling effect" across the city. (Source: 1News)
The police inspector continued: "A number of officers spent the day at Newtown Park yesterday, speaking to evacuated residents.
"However we are aware that there may be residents who were evacuated from Loafers Lodge who went to other locations following the fire, and haven’t been at Newtown Park.
"We want to speak to those residents, along with anyone else who may have information which could assist our enquiries."
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