Fourth person charged with manslaughter over Loafers Lodge fire
A fourth person has been charged with manslaughter over the Loafers Lodge fire that killed five people in Wellington in 2023.
Three people were charged with manslaughter last week following a two-year investigation into whether the state of the building and the management and compliance of its fire safety systems contributed to the fatal outcome.
Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O'Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings died in the blaze that began shortly after midnight on May 16, 2023.
A 72-year-old man is set to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday.
Last week, two men aged 75 and 58, and a 70-year-old woman appeared in the Wellington District Court facing manslaughter charges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Detective Sergeant Olivia Meares said police allege all four were responsible for aspects of the building's fire safety systems.
A 50-year-old man had previously been charged with murder in relation to deliberately lighting the fire. A trial is scheduled to start before the Wellington High Court on August 25.
The fire broke out at the Loafers Lodge, in Newtown, early this morning. (Source: Breakfast)
Police, Fire and Emergency NZ and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reminded those who owned or managed buildings, particularly buildings with sleeping accommodation, of their responsibility to ensure occupants were protected from fire.
These included ensuring the necessary evacuation procedures were in place, with an approved evacuation scheme if it was a "relevant building", and ensuring the means of escape from fire were maintained.
"Where applicable, ensure you understand the maintenance requirements for the specified systems outlined in your building's compliance schedule as required under the Building Act. Particularly those relating to the building emergency warning system or fire alarm."
Those who owned a tenanted residential property should ensure fire safety obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 were met.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Meth And MDMA Seized In Joint Police/Customs Investigation
Press Release – New Zealand Police This investigation is ongoing but we are confident we have made a dent in this syndicates supply chain and the charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged offending. NZ Police and Customs have disrupted a Wellington-based syndicate dealing a variety of drugs into the community, seizing 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 1000 MDMA pills. Over the past month a joint NZ Police and New Zealand Customs investigation – Operation Armani – identified a group smuggling significant amounts of drugs into New Zealand over a number of months. The 23 kilos of methamphetamine was intercepted at the border and has a street value of more than $8 million dollars. The MDMA seized has a street value of around $50,000. Last week the National Organised Crime Group, Customs, district investigators and specialist support groups executed a number of search warrants across the Wellington district. As a result four men, aged 26 to 30-years-old and residing in the Hutt Valley and Wellington city, are facing a range of serious charges. They include the import and supply of methamphetamine, and possession for supply of cocaine, MDMA and cannabis. Police also located a loaded pistol and ammunition, which has also resulted in charges. The four men have appeared in the Lower Hutt and Wellington District Courts. 'This investigation demonstrates how the excellent work of frontline Customs officers combined with the collaborative efforts of our Police partners is protecting our communities from the scourge of illicit drugs,' says Acting Customs Investigations Manager Matt Green. 'This is an enormous amount of serious harm being peddled into our communities, with these suppliers giving no conscious thought to the impact on those they are supplying to,' says Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson of NZ Police's National Organised Crime Group. 'Meth is a highly addictive illicit substance that often leads to addiction and violence. It brings misery to families and relationships. Keeping New Zealand safe from those deriving profit from this offending is a priority for NZ Police.' 'This investigation is ongoing but we are confident we have made a dent in this syndicate's supply chain and the charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged offending. Evidence gathered at the scene will allege that this syndicate had been operating for some time, and that Police and Customs' actions have dismantled their offending and prevented future harm.'
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Teens arrested after aggravated robbery, fleeing in stolen car in Auckland
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER A 14-year-old and a 16-year-old have been arrested following an aggravated robbery in Auckland's suburb of New Lynn on Monday morning. The police said one of them was armed with a knife when they entered a convenience store on Parker Avenue about 8.30am. They reportedly stole the till before fleeing in a stolen car. The pair were arrested after police found the stolen vehicle nearby. They will be appearing in the Waitākere Youth Court. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Scoop
Meth And MDMA Seized In Joint Police/Customs Investigation
NZ Police and Customs have disrupted a Wellington-based syndicate dealing a variety of drugs into the community, seizing 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 1000 MDMA pills. Over the past month a joint NZ Police and New Zealand Customs investigation - Operation Armani - identified a group smuggling significant amounts of drugs into New Zealand over a number of months. The 23 kilos of methamphetamine was intercepted at the border and has a street value of more than $8 million dollars. The MDMA seized has a street value of around $50,000. Last week the National Organised Crime Group, Customs, district investigators and specialist support groups executed a number of search warrants across the Wellington district. As a result four men, aged 26 to 30-years-old and residing in the Hutt Valley and Wellington city, are facing a range of serious charges. They include the import and supply of methamphetamine, and possession for supply of cocaine, MDMA and cannabis. Police also located a loaded pistol and ammunition, which has also resulted in charges. The four men have appeared in the Lower Hutt and Wellington District Courts. 'This investigation demonstrates how the excellent work of frontline Customs officers combined with the collaborative efforts of our Police partners is protecting our communities from the scourge of illicit drugs,' says Acting Customs Investigations Manager Matt Green. 'This is an enormous amount of serious harm being peddled into our communities, with these suppliers giving no conscious thought to the impact on those they are supplying to,' says Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson of NZ Police's National Organised Crime Group. 'Meth is a highly addictive illicit substance that often leads to addiction and violence. It brings misery to families and relationships. Keeping New Zealand safe from those deriving profit from this offending is a priority for NZ Police.' 'This investigation is ongoing but we are confident we have made a dent in this syndicate's supply chain and the charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged offending. Evidence gathered at the scene will allege that this syndicate had been operating for some time, and that Police and Customs' actions have dismantled their offending and prevented future harm.'
