Wellington hostel fire: Beloved identity among blaze victims

Tributes are flowing for a much-loved street personality who died in the Wellington hostel fire as the search for victims continues.

A beloved Wellington street identity has been confirmed as one of the victims of the Loafers Lodge hostel fire, which killed at least four others.

Michael Wahrlich, who was known as Mike the Juggler, tragically died in the blaze in New Zealand’s capital last Tuesday.

Known for his happy demeanour, Mr Wahrlich was a much-loved local character who juggled tennis balls at the city’s famed Lambton Quay, stuff.co.nz reported.

His sister, Margaret, said police had told her of her brother’s death and had taken DNA from her to help with the formal identification process.

So sad to hear that Mike the Juggler perished in the Newtown fire
Rest gently pic.twitter.com/hKIGNPjycU

— Eileen Kiffin. @[e-mail] (@KiffinEileen) May 22, 2023

“I am very excited about the pleasure and happiness that Mike bought to the Wellington people with his juggling and his massive smile,” she said on Monday.

Devastated locals took to social media after hearing of Mr Wahrlich’s death, with one describing him as “one of the OG street personalities of Wellington”.

“The first memory I have of Wellington city as a child was walking down Courtney Place with my family and seeing this busker,” one woman posted.

“Extremely sad loss for the Wellington community, much love and condolences to his friends and family.”

Another resident shared precious photos she had taken of the popular identity, who had been busking in the area since the 1990s.

“He had just started coming back out on the streets after several months of recovering from a brutal assault earlier in the year in 2022 before passing away in the fire,” the woman posted on Facebook.

GRIM SEARCH CONTINUES AFTER FIRE

New Zealand police say they’re still searching for more victims following the deadly fire.

And while police now estimate the total number of deaths to be fewer than 10, they released a statement on Sunday that “progress is slow but ongoing today” at the scene.

They said formal identification of the victims is moving swiftly.

“Overnight weather has meant extra checks have been needed to ensure the safety of the building and areas where teams are working, and police are working alongside Urban Search and Rescue to do this,” Inspector Dion Bennett said.

On Saturday, a fifth body was taken away and Inspector Bennett said they were expecting the scene examination to extend well into next week.

He urged anyone who lodged a missing persons report but has since made contact with that person, to notify police.

A burnt out window at the Loafers Lodge hostel in the aftermath of the fatal blaze. Picture: AFP

BROTHER OF WIMBLEDON FINALIST MISSING

The brother of New Zealand Wimbledon finalist Onny Parun is feared missing following the fatal fire at Loafer’s Lodge hotel.

Police were unable to confirm whether former barrister and staunch opponent of the New Zealand legal system, Melvin Parun was among those unaccounted for, according to Stuff.co.nz.

Onny Parun, 76, was considered one of the world’s top 20 tennis player for five years, and was a Wimbledon quarter finalist in 1971 and 1971. He also made the final of the Australian Open.

Liam Hockings, the brother of BBC presenter and journalist Lucy Hockings, is also among those missing following the deadly blaze.

Mr Hockings, 50, was a University friend of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins who said his heart went out to the Hockings family.

Onny Parun, pictured, is one of New Zealand’s most successful tennis players. His brother Melvin is missing in the Loafers Lodge hostel fire.

‘SOMEONE ELSE DID IT’: ACCUSED APPEARS IN COURT

A 48-year-old man faced Wellington District Court on Friday charged with setting fire to the lodge and to a couch on the third floor. He was remanded in custody and his name suppressed.

The man made gestures and signs at the media attending and told assigned lawyer Doug Ewen he was fired, according to Stuff.co.nz.

During the hearing, he shouted: “I need bail, I need a good lawyer. Someone else done it.”

He also said Ewen was not getting him bail. Bail is opposed by police. Press copies of the charging documents show the man is of no fixed abode, the news site reports.

Police have not ruled out “more serious charges”.

“The investigation is ongoing,” they said.

A firefighter outside the Loafers Lodge hostel a day after the blaze. Picture: AFP

Police said they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the blaze, which engulfed the 92-room hostel in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to Stuff.co.nz, the man has been a resident of Loafers Lodge and has lived in both Wellington and Auckland.

Hours before announcing the arrest, police removed the first two bodies from the charred interior of the Loafers Lodge hostel.

Inspector Dion Bennett, acting Wellington district police commander, speaks during a press conference. Picture: AFP

As a white car drove the remains away from the building in central Wellington, emergency workers bowed their heads and a man and a woman chanted in a mark of respect.

A collapsed roof on the top floor made it impossible to search everywhere.

Fewer than 20 people are still counted as missing. Ninety-two people have been accounted for, with one person in hospital.

Police officers after being handed control of the Loafers Lodge hostel. Picture: AFP

The grim task of removing the bodies of people started on Thursday. The first victims were recovered from the building about 5pm Thursday after staff at the site performed a traditional Maori karakia prayer.

Acting Wellington district commander Inspector Dion Bennett said two more bodies would be removed on Friday.

Originally published as Wellington hostel fire: Beloved identity among blaze victims